Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have signed a historic pact on working out modalities for the ambitious Rs 40,300-crore Pranahitha-Chevella project.
The project envisages diversion of about 160 tmc of water by constructing a barrage across river Pranahitha, a major tributary of the Godavari.
Apart from irrigating over 16.4 lakh acres in the drought-prone districts of Andhra Pradesh, the project seeks to utilise 20 tmc of water from Godavari at Sripada project.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, an inter-State agreement was signed by the ministers of both the states in the presence of Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister for Water Resources, at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, on Saturday.
Drinking water
The project named Dr B. R. Ambedkar Pranahitha-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi, besides focusing on irrigation, envisages supply of drinking water to Hyderabad and Secunderabad and meeting requirement of industries within the region.
The project has been conceived to provide water for 6.63 lakh hectares in the drought-prone districts of Telangana region. They do not have adequate water supply to meet irrigation requirements and even for drinking water, and are dependent on monsoons.
The Central Water Commission had accorded in-principle clearance for submission of a detailed project report in April 2010. It is now under scrutiny.
The project has inter-State implications. The provisions of Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal report of 1975 govern inter-State issues. It seeks to cover three projects — Lendi, Lower Penganga and Pranahitha-Chevella.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for formation of joint committees between the two States. They will assess the extent of submergence and the compensation payable to the displaced persons due to the project.
Following the agreement, an inter-State board and other committees have been constituted.