Maharashtra and Telangana on Tuesday signed an agreement to constitute an inter-state board for joint irrigation projects. The pact is likely to speed up work on three key irrigation projects, which were under dispute between two States for some time now.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who signed the agreement with his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao, said: “The board is constituted to take decisions by mutual understanding for irrigation projects such as Lendi, Pranhita and Rajapet on Lower Painganga.” Irrigation ministers of both the States were present.
On Monday, Mr Rao had held a meeting with Maharashtra governor C Vidyasagar Rao to discuss the signing of agreements, and the long-pending disputes between two States.
According to sources in the Maharashtra government, both the CMs had held an informal discussion earlier where it was decided to solve the disputes amicably. Apart from the three projects, the board will also work on projects such as Chankha-Koti on Lower Painganga and barrages on Piparad-Parsoda. All decision regarding project design, land acquisition, rehabilitation and benefits from the projects will be taken mutually by committees under the board.
“This is a historic day for both States,” said Mr Fadnavis. “The river water which flows to the sea can be used for the betterment of both the states. It will ensure there will be no water war between two States,” said Mr Fadnavis.
Mr Rao said it was a historic agreement, which will immensely aid farmers. “Our water problems will be solved because of this agreement,” he said. Lower Painganga and Lendi projects are largely beneficial to Maharashtra, while Pranhita is of greater importance to Telangana.
Maharashtra’s 1,40,818 hectare land will be irrigated due to the Lower Painganga project, while 26,924 hectare will be irrigated with the help of the Lendi project.
