The Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra announced on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 that a high-level inter-state meeting chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi has resolved a 20-year-old pending dispute, clearing the path for Maharashtra to receive its entitled 10 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from the Narmada Project. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the outcome, thanking central and state counterparts for the breakthrough.

Context

The meeting in New Delhi was attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Union Minister C. R. Patil. CM Fadnavis stated: 'नर्मदा प्रकल्प पूर्ण झाल्यानंतर त्यातून महाराष्ट्राला केवळ वीज मिळाली, मात्र राज्याच्या वाट्याचे 10 टीएमसी पाणी मिळाले नव्हते' — 'After the Narmada project was completed, Maharashtra received only power but not the 10 TMC of water that was its due share.' Today's meeting addressed that gap.

The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal had delivered its final award in 1979, allocating shares of water and power among the basin states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Despite that award, Maharashtra's water entitlement remained unimplemented for decades, with the state receiving power benefits but not the water allocation.

Policy Backdrop

Of Maharashtra's entitled 10 TMC, the state had demanded 5 TMC through the Narmada-Tapi Diversion Scheme and 5 TMC from the Ukai Dam in Gujarat. The meeting produced a favourable decision on both counts. Gujarat agreed to allow Maharashtra to lift water from Ukai Dam during the monsoon season — that is, when water is available in the reservoir — a position endorsed by Amit Shah and C. R. Patil.

On the financial side, CM Fadnavis confirmed that Maharashtra's outstanding dues have been substantially waived, with only ₹27 crore now remaining payable and the rest of the dues cancelled. The Maharashtra government stated it is preparing a detailed plan for operationalising the water-lifting arrangement from Ukai Dam.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries will be farmers and communities in the districts of North Maharashtra, a region historically vulnerable to drought and water scarcity. CM Fadnavis specifically noted that the 10 TMC water allocation would benefit these districts 'on a large scale' once the lifting plan is executed.

Separately, a second meeting chaired by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi reviewed Maharashtra's renewable energy portfolio. CM Fadnavis disclosed that the central government has allocated 51 per cent of the total national fund under the PM-KUSUM scheme to Maharashtra — the highest share given to any state in the country. The Chief Minister thanked Pralhad Joshi for this allocation and requested continued support under the revised PM-KUSUM scheme. Union Minister Joshi urged Maharashtra to set and achieve more ambitious targets under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana, and the state government assured him of necessary reforms for effective implementation.

What's Next

The Maharashtra government is now preparing a 'well-structured plan' (सुव्यवस्थित आराखडा) for lifting water from Ukai Dam, which will be limited to the monsoon period when reservoir levels are adequate. The detailed project report for this arrangement, along with the mechanics of the Narmada-Tapi Diversion component, will be the next critical milestones before actual water flows to the state.

On the energy front, Maharashtra's performance targets under PM Surya Ghar Yojana are expected to be revised upward, and the state's utilisation of its 51 per cent PM-KUSUM allocation will be monitored in subsequent review meetings. The resolution of a two-decade-old inter-state water dispute through central facilitation underscores the continued role of the Union government in brokering practical implementation of tribunal awards among states.