Mumbai: Maharashtra will independently assess the impact of Telangana’s Thummidihetti irrigation project, including the proposed increase in its height from 148 metres to 152 metres, before taking a decision, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.
A joint committee comprising the chief secretaries and water resources department secretaries of both states will examine technical aspects and the potential submergence area in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said after a meeting with his Telangana counterpart A Revanth Reddy at Sahyadri Guest House here.
Reddy and Telangana Water Resources Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy requested Maharashtra’s approval for increasing the project’s height.
“Maharashtra has consistently favoured resolving issues between neighbouring states through mutual cooperation. The state would have no objection to a positive decision if it does not cause losses to Maharashtra’s residents and benefits the neighbouring state,” Fadnavis said.
Maharashtra had earlier taken a positive stand on Telangana’s proposal. However, the actual submergence area after the earlier approval was found to be larger than anticipated, making a detailed assessment of the impact of the revised proposal necessary, Fadnavis added.
The proposed study will examine the impact of the change in the project site on the submergence area, the inclusion of the concerned wildlife sanctuary and the extent of land required outside the riverbed, Fadnavis said.
“If Telangana raises objections or identifies shortcomings in Maharashtra’s assessment, officials of both states will discuss the issues. Expert opinion will also be sought, if necessary,” he said.
Matters relating to water allocation and statutory clearances fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Water Commission, and Maharashtra will submit its views based on facts when the commission seeks the state’s opinion, Fadnavis said.
A decision on the project will be taken after the independent assessment and technical discussions, he added. Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan joined the meeting virtually.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
