TS-Maha sign historic pact

The dream of Telangana people to utilize the Godavari water would be a reality soon as the state government has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra government on Tuesday for the construction of three barrages on Godavari and its tributaries.

Being described as a historical one and a model to the nation, by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, the pact would help the Telangana to utilize the water, about 950 TMC, of Godavari through the lift irrigation schemes. The pact, being talked about for the past two years was signed in Mumbai by the Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhara Rao and his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of official of Central Water Commission, a hoard of ministers of both states and officials.

Addressing the media, after the agreement signing programme, the Telangana Chief Minister said that the agreement entered with Maharashtra was a historical one. He said that this day would be written in the history with golden letters as it witnessed an agreement in a congenial atmosphere which would enable the construction of irrigation projects for the benefit of the farmers.

He said that this pact would be a model to the country since it was achieved in a give and take manner while water wars were taking place in the country. He said that this would set a new example in the country. He thanked the Maharashtra government for extending a friendly hand in the matter of Telangana projects on behalf of people of Telangana.

He complimented Telangana Irrigation minister T Harish Rao for his efforts for the past one and half year to create an atmosphere for the historical agreement. He appreciated the way being followed by the officials of both the states who exchanged information regularly in cooperative mode to clear the doubts.

KCR said that objective of the projects was to use the water going waste into the sea every year in Godavari for the benefit of farmers of both the states. This year about 1400 TMC of water has gone into the sea, if the projects existed it should have helped the farmers. While the water in Godavari going waste the farmers were suffering with no irrigation facilities. The construction of projects would prevent this situation.

To avoid the problems Telangana has proposed construction barrage at Medigadda than at Tummidihette. The foundation would be constructed for 101 meters high barrage at Medigadda and barrage would come up at 100 meters.



With the help of barrage at the height of 148 at Tummidihette, irrigation facilities would be provided to people of Adilabad district. It was a good omen that Telangana and Maharashtra have agreed for construction of Pen Ganga Chanaka – Korata and other barrages.

During the composite state period the then government indulged in qurrels and did not allow the construction of barrages. Now the Telangana government was going ahead with a feeling of love. Even though Congress was at power in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and at the Centre in the past, no agreement was signed.

“But now though governments of three different parties were at the helm affairs at Telangana, Maharashtra and the Centre, all have come on one line. Such an attitude would do justice to Telangana,” KCR said. He made it clear that Telangana would continue the same attitude in the issues on sharing of Krishna River. Not just in irrigation sector but in other areas also Telangana and Maharashtra would help each other.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that during the composite Andhra Pradesh period a hostile atmosphere existed but after formation of Telangana relations have improved due to the attitude being followed by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao. It was a good omen to enter into agreements for construction of projects in a friendly situation.

He complimented Telangana for redesigning the projects for construction of projects at a reduced height and said that the Tuesday’s pact would help farmers of both states to benefit through Godavari, Pen Ganga and Pranahitha waters. Stating that it was good tradition, he hoped that same situation would continue in the future. On the other hand both the Chief Ministers have appreciated the efforts of Telangana Irrigation minister T Harish Rao for paving way for the agreement between both states.

KCR said that Harish cleared the doubts of the Maharashtra Irrigation officials regularly and met MH Irrigation minister Girish Mahajan several times to solve the issues. Fadnavis said that Harish Rao has strived a lot for the projects and coordinated the efforts between ministers and officials of both states. Chief Ministers of both the states have felicitated each other. KCR presented Charminar memento to Fadnavis whereas Fadnavis felicitated KCR with the Ganesh idol. Harish Rao presented mementos to Maharashtra ministers whereas Girish Mahajan did the same to Telangana ministers.