TS, Maharashtra Ink Historic Irrigation Agreement

In a major development that will likely end the four decade-long stalemate between Telangana (part of Andhra Pradesh until 2014) and Maharashtra pertaining to irrigation projects, the Maharashtra government inked a pact with Telangana at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on Tuesday paving the way for the construction of at least five projects that will help irrigate the crops in the two States.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's initiative on the pending issue appears to have fructified, with his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis choosing to push the pact.

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, a former union minister and a Telangana BJP leader of national stature, also played a key role in the deal.

An important point that may have helped push the deal was that there was an agreement for reducing the submergence area under the projects.

The plan of the Telangana government to bring about a "green revolution" in north Telangana might now fructify in a couple of years.

Speaking on the occasion, Devendra Fadnavis said that the two regions had a long-term relationship, and that the pact would cement the bonds of the two States.

"We will work together on the irrigation projects, and help meet the water needs of farmers of both the States," Fadnavis said after signing the deal with KCR.

KCR called the deal "historic", and extended thanks to Fadnavis for his vision that helped resolve the pending issue and enable the completion of multiple irrigation projects.

Lendi, Pranahitha (Tummidihatti barrage), Kaleshwaram (Medigadda barrage), the Penganga barrages at Rajupet between the Chanaka and Korata areas, and the Penpahad and Lower Penganga projects are to be completed in a phased manner, according to the deal.

While the two governments under one umbrella will deal with the existing irrigation projects, a new inter-State board will deal with the upcoming projects handling the technicalities and other details.

KCR will be the Chairman of the board for the first year, and Fadnavis will be the co-chairman. Their roles will be swapped the next year. The Board will function from Hyderabad comprising a Union Water Resources department official, and will comprise the irrigation, finance, revenue, forest and relevant other ministers and officials of both the States as members.

The irrigation ministers of the two States, T Harish Rao and Girish Mahajan, Telangana Ministers Indrakaran Reddy and Jogu Ramanna, and other concerned officials of the two States were present during the pact signing.