Revanth Reddy to meet Fadnavis in Mumbai over Tummidihatti Barrage height
Synopsis
Telangana's decades-old Tummidihatti Barrage ambition comes to a head Monday as CM Revanth Reddy flies to Mumbai to convince Maharashtra CM Fadnavis to accept a 152-metre Full Reservoir Level — four metres higher than previously agreed — a difference that could determine whether 2 lakh acres of Adilabad's tribal heartland finally gets reliable irrigation water.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Monday, 27 October 2025 , at 11 am at the Sahyadri State Guest House .
Telangana seeks Maharashtra's approval for the Tummidihatti Barrage at a height of 152 metres FRL , up from the previously agreed 148 metres .
The barrage is proposed on the Pranahita River , a tributary of the Godavari , and aims to irrigate 2 lakh acres in Adilabad district .
At 152 metres FRL , approximately 2,300 acres would be submerged in Maharashtra; at 150 metres FRL , fewer than 1,000 acres — with no villages submerged in either scenario.
Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior irrigation officials will accompany the delegation.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has been seeking technical data following a New Delhi meeting of officials from both states last month.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is set to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Monday, 27 October 2025, to seek approval for constructing the Tummidihatti Barrage across the Pranahita River at a height of 152 metres — four metres above the previously agreed level. The high-stakes inter-state meeting is centred on a long-pending irrigation project that Telangana says is critical for northern regions of the state.
The Meeting and Delegation
A delegation led by Revanth Reddy departed for Maharashtra on Sunday evening, according to the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The meeting is scheduled at the Sahyadri State Guest House at 11 am on Monday. Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior officials from the irrigation department will also attend the discussions.
Why Telangana Wants a Higher Barrage
The Tummidihatti Barrage is proposed on the Pranahita River, a tributary of the Godavari. Telangana is pressing Maharashtra — the upper riparian state — to agree to a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 152 metres, up from the earlier-agreed 148 metres. The state government argues that the lower level would not allow it to divert adequate water volumes to meet irrigation and drinking water needs in northern Telangana, particularly the undivided Adilabad district, which Revanth Reddy described as comprising largely forest and tribal areas.
At an internal review on 23 October, the Chief Minister asked officials to build a technical case strong enough to convince Maharashtra. Engineers from the Irrigation Department briefed him on the potential water diversion quantities achievable at both 152 metres FRL and 150 metres FRL into the Yellampally project.
Submergence Data and Maharashtra's Concerns
A key point of negotiation is the extent of land submergence in Maharashtra. According to officials, construction at 152 metres FRL would result in approximately 2,300 acres of submergence, while 150 metres FRL would affect fewer than 1,000 acres — both scenarios with no villages submerged in Maharashtra. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to prepare precise submergence estimates and share all technical data sought by the Central Water Commission (CWC) following a meeting between officials of both states in New Delhi last month.
What Is at Stake
The project is expected to irrigate an ayacut of 2 lakh acres in Adilabad district. Revanth Reddy noted that Maharashtra had consented to a 148-metre FRL in earlier negotiations but that this height falls short of enabling Telangana to divert the volumes needed for the region. The Chief Minister expressed hope that communities that have historically rallied around the cause of land, forest, and water rights would benefit from the project.
With Fadnavis having reportedly signalled willingness to hold talks, Monday's meeting is the most concrete diplomatic effort in recent years to break the impasse on a project that has been pending for decades — and its outcome will determine the water future of one of Telangana's most underserved regions.
Point of View
But Maharashtra's consent is ultimately political as much as technical. The Central Water Commission's involvement signals that the Centre may eventually need to arbitrate, and the outcome of Monday's meeting will test whether bilateral diplomacy can resolve what has festered since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tummidihatti Barrage project?
The Tummidihatti Barrage is a proposed water infrastructure project on the Pranahita River, a tributary of the Godavari, in Telangana. It is intended to address irrigation and drinking water requirements in northern Telangana, particularly the Adilabad district, and is expected to irrigate up to 2 lakh acres of agricultural land.
Why is Telangana seeking a higher FRL of 152 metres instead of 148 metres?
Telangana argues that the previously agreed Full Reservoir Level of 148 metres is insufficient to divert the volumes of water needed for irrigation in northern Telangana. At 152 metres FRL, the state says it can divert significantly more water from the Pranahita River to benefit the Adilabad region and improve the Yellampally project's capacity.
What will be the impact on Maharashtra if the barrage is built at 152 metres?
According to Telangana's Irrigation Department, construction at 152 metres FRL would submerge approximately 2,300 acres in Maharashtra, with no villages facing displacement. At 150 metres FRL, the submergence area would be fewer than 1,000 acres, also with no villages affected.
Who will be part of the Telangana delegation in Mumbai?
The delegation will be led by Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy and will include Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy along with senior officials from the Telangana Irrigation Department. The meeting is scheduled at the Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai at 11 am on Monday.
What role does the Central Water Commission play in this dispute?
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has been seeking technical information from both Telangana and Maharashtra following a meeting between officials of the two states in New Delhi last month. Revanth Reddy has directed Telangana officials to share all data requested by the CWC as part of efforts to secure approval for the project.
