Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis discussed several issues related to inter-state irrigation projects.
The meeting between the two Chief Ministers was held at Maharashtra's Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Ministers T Harish Rao and Jogu Ramanna, Parliamentary Secretary Jalagam Venkat Rao, government advisors Venugopala Chary and Vidyasagar Rao, MPs B Vinod Kumar and B V Patil, and senior officials of the irrigation department were also present.
During the meeting, KCR requested the Maharashtra Chief Minister to hasten the completion of irrigation projects which would benefit the farmers of both the states.
He stressed on the effective utilisation of the Godavari river waters.
Land acquisition, payment of compensation, resolution of pending court cases and other related issues were also discussed during the meeting.
It was also decided to constitute a committee for better coordination between the two states.
The Chief Ministers also decided to continue the agreement that both the states reached in 2003.
The officials said that the completion of the Lendi Project would result in 6 TMC of Godavari waters to farmers of both the states.
They also informed that land acquisition for 11 out of 12 villages had been completed, and that compensation too had been paid for six villages so far. The acquisition and payment of compensation for the remaining villages, too, would be completed soon.
The Chief Ministers also decided to complete the Lower Penuganga project soon.
KCR requested the Maharashtra CM to support his demand seeking National Project status for the Pranahita-Chevella project. He also hinted at changing the design of the Pranahita-Chevella project which was finalised by the previous Andhra Pradesh regime.
Fadnavis assured that Maharashtra had no objection to the utilisation of 160 TMC of Godavari waters by Telangana. He also agreed to extend all cooperation for the development of the new state. (INN)