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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the governments of Maharashtra and Telangana on Tuesday for the setting up of an inter-state water board for projects on the Godavari river. The MoU brings to an end long-drawn disagreements between the two states (Telangana being a part of united Andhra Pradesh before 2014) over the use of the waters of the Godavari.
The first project to benefit from the newly signed MoU is the Medigadda barrage in Warangal district. The barrage, to be constructed 20 km downstream from Kaleshwaram, is part of the Kaleshwaram Project. The project will provide a vital link in the redesigned Pranahita-Chevalla Project.
The barrage could improve the scope of irrigation in both states. About 1.64 million hectares in Telangana and 50,000 additional hectares in Maharashtra stand to benefit from the improvement in irrigation potential. A meeting between officials from both states will be convened to decide on the exact height of the barrage, likely to be between 100 and 103 metres.
During the bilateral meeting, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao invited Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other officials of the Maharashtra government to Hyderabad to start discussions on the Medigadda barrage and Tumidi Hatti barrage, the proposed 152-metre height of which has been an issue of contention between the two states.
The interstate dispute has been hindering development activities on the Godavari since 1975. The new agreement could also allow construction work to commence on barrages at Chanaka-Korata, Rajapet and Penpahad as a part of the Lower Penganga Project.