Hyderabad: The first round of talks between Telangana and Maharashtra, initiated by Central Water Commission (CWC), on the proposed Tummidihatti barrage across the Pranahita river was “constructive and encouraging”, according to officials on Tuesday.Sources said the talks raised hopes of progress towards resolving long-pending issues surrounding the project. The second round of talks would be held in the third week of Sept.As Telangana proposed the Tummidhatti barrage at 152 metres full reservoir level (FRL), the state’s proposal was extensively discussed: the consequent submergence in Maharashtra, the availability of Pranahita water and the safeguards required to protect projects and interests of both states, official sources said.Though no final decision was taken, officials described the deliberations as constructive and encouraging, with CWC facilitating a detailed examination of the outstanding technical and inter-state issues.Official sources said a key focus of Tuesday’s meeting was Maharashtra’s concern over land submergence from the proposed 152-metre FRL. Telangana presented its technical position and explained the studies conducted on the likely impact at different levels.The Telangana govt maintained that the additional submergence, caused by increasing the level from 148 metres to 152 metres, would be marginal and could be addressed through appropriate technical measures and safeguards.CWC chairman Anupam Prasad asked Telangana to share detailed submergence data and supporting studies with the Maharashtra govt to enable its technical authorities to examine the findings. Telangana agreed to provide the required information before the next round of consultations.The state govt also assured the meeting that it was committed to ensuring that the proposed barrage would not adversely affect projects in Maharashtra or other upstream and downstream interests. Appropriate technical and operational safeguards would be developed and placed before the concerned authorities, the officials said.Water availability in the Pranahita system emerged as another important issue requiring further technical work. The meeting stressed the need for the two states and the CWC to arrive at a common understanding on the quantum of water that could reliably be utilised for the project.Telangana has been seeking revival of Tummidihatti as part of its strategy to effectively harness Pranahita water and secure the irrigation benefits originally envisaged for the state.
