Tummidihatti Barrage: Telangana's New Pitch to Maharashtra

The Telangana government is set to approach Maharashtra in early November for approval of the Tummidihatti barrage—an essential component of the long-pending Pranahitha-Chevella irrigation project.

With the Detailed Project Report (DPR) expected by the end of the month, Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and senior officials plan to meet Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, following inter-state Secretary-level talks. Telangana is proposing a barrage height of 150 metres—slightly higher than the 148 metres agreed upon in 2016, but lower than the originally proposed 152 metres, which was rejected due to submergence concerns.

Geotechnical surveys at both Tummidihatti and Sundilla are complete. Approximately 71 km of existing canal infrastructure—70% of which is already built—can be reused. Water can flow by gravity from Tummidihatti to Sundilla, eliminating the need for multiple lift systems and significantly cutting costs. Of two potential routes beyond Mylaram, the gravity-fed path to Sundilla is considered the most efficient. Officials believe that leveraging existing infrastructure could accelerate the project's implementation and irrigation outcomes.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.