Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has said his government will not object if Maharashtra carries out an independent survey of the land that may go under water because of the proposed Tummidihatti barrage. He made the statement at a review meeting on the project in Hyderabad on Tuesday, according to Telangana Today.
Key points
- Telangana will not oppose an independent survey by Maharashtra of land likely to be submerged.
- Officials have been told to share all information and documents sought by Maharashtra without delay.
- The state is ready to pay adequate compensation for affected land in Maharashtra.
- Telangana is willing to deposit funds into a joint account of the two state governments.
Instructions to officials
The review meeting was held by Mr Reddy along with Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy. The Chief Minister asked irrigation officials to maintain cordial relations with the Maharashtra government and to continue discussions on the proposed barrage.
He told officials to keep complete details of the areas likely to be submerged ready. He also stressed that all relevant documents should be shared with Maharashtra. These include existing agreements and details of other important issues connected with the project.
Compensation offer
Mr Reddy said the Telangana government is prepared to provide adequate compensation for any land in Maharashtra that may be affected by submergence. "We are ready to deposit funds into a joint account of the two State governments," he said.
The offer suggests that Telangana wants the question of compensation to be handled openly and with the involvement of both states.
Why it matters
Barrages and similar water projects on shared river areas can affect land in more than one state. When land in a neighbouring state is at risk of going under water, the extent of the impact and the compensation for those affected often become key issues. By agreeing to an independent survey and promising to share records, Telangana has indicated that it wants to keep talks with Maharashtra on a cooperative footing.
The source report does not say when Maharashtra may begin its survey or when the next round of talks between the two states will take place. Further details are likely to emerge as discussions continue.
