The Tummidihatti Barrage on the Pranahita river is back in the news after Telangana and Maharashtra agreed to form a joint technical committee to study a higher barrage. For APPSC, TGPSC and UPSC aspirants, the Tummidihatti Barrage brings together inter-state water disputes, the Godavari basin and irrigation planning in one topic.
Why in News?
Telangana and Maharashtra have agreed to set up a joint technical committee to examine the feasibility of increasing the height of the proposed barrage across the Pranahita river.
The height is the core of the dispute. Telangana wants a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 152 metres to draw more water by gravity, while the 2016 inter-state agreement fixed the level at 148 metres. A higher level also means more submergence on the Maharashtra side, which is why the two states need a common technical assessment.
Tummidihatti Barrage: Key Facts for Prelims
- It is a proposed multi-purpose irrigation project across the Pranahita river, a major tributary of the Godavari.
- It is located near Tummidihetti village in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district (undivided Adilabad) of Telangana. Both spellings, Tummidihatti and Tummidihetti, appear in news reports.
- It was conceived to meet long-pending drinking water and irrigation demands in northern Telangana.
- The initial design proposed an FRL of 152 metres, allowing diversion of around 80 to 160 TMC of water, largely by gravity.
- Maharashtra objected because a 152-metre reservoir would submerge about 2,500 to 4,000 acres in its Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts.
- In 2016, after the formation of Telangana, the then government signed an inter-state agreement with Maharashtra and agreed to reduce the FRL to 148 metres.
- The current Telangana government has rejected the 148-metre cap as technically unviable for the region’s water demands and is pushing for 152 metres.
Pranahita River and the Godavari Basin
- The Pranahita is formed by the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.
- It joins the Godavari near Kaleshwaram in Telangana.
- The Godavari, called Dakshina Ganga, is the longest peninsular river and rises at Trimbak in Nashik district of Maharashtra.
- The Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation scheme was the earlier plan for using Pranahita water. It was later redesigned as the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme with barrages at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla on the Godavari.
Inter-State Water Disputes: Constitutional Basics
- Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of disputes over inter-state rivers and river valleys.
- The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 provides for tribunals to settle such disputes.
- The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in 1969 and gave its award in 1979.
- Where states agree among themselves, as in 2016, a negotiated settlement can avoid tribunal proceedings, but any change needs the consent of both states.
Quick Revision Table: Tummidihatti Barrage
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project type | Proposed multi-purpose irrigation project |
| River | Pranahita, a tributary of the Godavari |
| District | Komaram Bheem Asifabad (undivided Adilabad) |
| Original FRL | 152 metres |
| FRL agreed in 2016 | 148 metres |
| Planned diversion | About 80 to 160 TMC, largely by gravity |
| Maharashtra’s concern | Submergence of 2,500 to 4,000 acres in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur |
| Latest step | Joint technical committee of both states to study a higher height |
Trap / Confusing Points: Tummidihatti Barrage
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| Pranahita or Godavari | The barrage is on the Pranahita, which is a tributary and not the main Godavari |
| 148 m or 152 m | 148 m is the level agreed in 2016; 152 m is the original design and the present Telangana demand |
| Who objects to the height | Maharashtra, because of submergence in its territory |
| Location of the site | Telangana (Komaram Bheem Asifabad), though submergence affects Maharashtra |
| Role of the joint committee | It studies feasibility; it is not the final approval of a higher height |
5 Practice MCQs on Tummidihatti Barrage
1. The proposed Tummidihatti barrage is located across which river?
a. Godavari
b. Pranahita
c. Krishna
d. Penganga
Ans: b
Explanation: It is proposed across the Pranahita, a major tributary of the Godavari.
2. In which district of Telangana is the barrage site located?
a. Nirmal
b. Mancherial
c. Komaram Bheem Asifabad
d. Nizamabad
Ans: c
Explanation: The site is near Tummidihetti village in Komaram Bheem Asifabad, part of undivided Adilabad.
3. What FRL was proposed in the initial design?
a. 148 metres
b. 150 metres
c. 152 metres
d. 160 metres
Ans: c
Explanation: The original design proposed 152 metres to divert water largely by gravity.
4. To what FRL did Telangana agree in the 2016 inter-state agreement with Maharashtra?
a. 140 metres
b. 148 metres
c. 152 metres
d. 155 metres
Ans: b
Explanation: Telangana agreed to reduce the FRL from 152 to 148 metres in 2016.
5. Maharashtra objected to the 152-metre FRL because it would submerge land in which districts?
a. Nanded and Latur
b. Gadchiroli and Chandrapur
c. Nagpur and Wardha
d. Nashik and Pune
Ans: b
Explanation: About 2,500 to 4,000 acres in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur would be submerged.
Exam tip: Remember the pair 152 m (original and current Telangana demand) versus 148 m (2016 agreement), and link the topic to the Pranahita-Chevella and Kaleshwaram projects for Telangana and Godavari questions.
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