The Telangana government on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, reaffirmed its commitment to sustained dialogue with Maharashtra over the proposed Tummidihatti Barrage on the Pranahita River, following a high-level review of the inter-state water project. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed Irrigation Department officials to maintain robust communication with Maharashtra and come fully prepared with comprehensive documentation on submergence areas, existing agreements, and all related technical matters.

What the Review Meeting Decided

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy jointly chaired a review meeting with senior officials examining the barrage, which is proposed to be constructed across the Pranahita River on the Telangana–Maharashtra border at a height of 152 metres. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Revanth Reddy reviewed the outcome of recent discussions held with Maharashtra and issued a series of directives to keep the process on track.

The Chief Minister made clear that Telangana is prepared to offer adequate compensation for any agricultural lands in Maharashtra that may be affected by submergence, and is also ready to deposit funds into a joint account held by both state governments. He further stated that Telangana would not object to Maharashtra conducting its own independent survey of potential submergence zones — a concession aimed at building trust across the border.

The Fadnavis Meeting on October 26

The review follows a significant diplomatic engagement on 26 October, when a Telangana delegation led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis responded positively to Telangana's request for approval of the barrage at the proposed 152-metre height, while emphasising that several technical, environmental, and administrative steps would need to be completed before any final decision is reached.

Notably, Fadnavis proposed the constitution of a joint committee of officials headed by the Principal Secretaries of the Irrigation Departments of both states. This committee would be tasked with examining the proposed barrage height, water availability assessments, submergence implications, affected agricultural lands, compensation requirements, and other technical concerns — including alternative approaches where necessary.

Scope of the Joint Committee

The proposed joint committee's mandate is wide-ranging. It would assess the concerns of both states regarding the extent of submergence and possible impact on land and local communities. Both sides agreed that technical experts and officials from Telangana and Maharashtra would work together to prepare a clear timeline and roadmap for further discussions and necessary action. The way forward, it was agreed, would be worked out collaboratively by officials and experts of the two states.

What Happens Next

Telangana officials have been directed to furnish all information sought by Maharashtra in a timely manner — a step that signals the state's intent to keep momentum going. The barrage, if cleared, would be a major infrastructure project for the region, with potential implications for irrigation, agriculture, and water availability on both sides of the border. The formation of the joint committee and the preparation of a formal roadmap are now the immediate next steps, with both states having signalled a cooperative — if cautious — approach to resolving the outstanding issues.