Telangana, Maharashtra sign pact on dam project

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding construction of irrigation projects on the Godavari was signed on Tuesday between Maharashtra and Telangana. The chief ministers of both states were present on the occasion. Both the states have agreed to constitute an inter-state board for joint irrigation projects to take decisions by mutual understanding. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that the co-operation between the two neighbouring states would benefit both the states.

Telangana CM K.C. Rao termed the agreement as historic and said that there will be no “water war” between Maharashtra and Telangana in future.

The inter-state board for joint irrigation projects has been constituted to take decisions by mutual understanding for irrigation projects such as Lendi, Pranhita and Lower Painganga, Mr Fadnavis said.

“When two neighbouring states have good relations and work together, it helps development in both the states. Therefore we have agreed to undertake irrigation projects in both the states without creating any disputes. The Inter-State Board will benefit farmers from both the states,” Mr Fadnavis said adding that the board’s first meeting was held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on Tuesday itself and the next meeting will be held in Hyderabad soon.

Irrigation ministers of both states — Girish Mahajan (Maharashtra) and Harish Rao (Telangana) — and chief secretaries of both states were present on the occasion. The agreement on setting up an inter-state water board on Godavari projects is expected to end decades of discord between the two states on utilisation of Godavari water.