CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav: Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project is the World’s Largest Groundwater Recharge Initiative

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has stated that the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project is the world’s largest groundwater recharge initiative. The obstacles to this interstate joint project have now been removed, and discussions for an agreement with the Maharashtra government are progressing. Soon, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be invited to Bhopal to finalize the agreement.

CM Yadav chaired a meeting at the Ministry regarding the implementation of the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge and Kanhan Sub-Basin projects, directing officials to expedite their execution. He emphasized that collaboration with Maharashtra will lead to the creation of three tributaries of the Tapti River, ensuring optimal utilization of every drop of water for irrigation.

Key Details of the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

Water utilization: 31.13 TMC

Madhya Pradesh’s share: 11.76 TMC

Maharashtra’s share: 19.36 TMC

Total irrigated land:

Madhya Pradesh: 1,23,082 hectares

Maharashtra: 2,34,706 hectares

Proposed infrastructure:

Low diversion weir at Khariya Gutighat Dam site

Right Bank Canal (Phase 1): 221 km long, irrigating 55,089 hectares in Madhya Pradesh

Left Bank Canal (Phase 1): 135.64 km long, irrigating 44,993 hectares in Madhya Pradesh

Left Bank Canal (Phase 2): 123.97 km long, providing irrigation for 80,000 hectares in Maharashtra

This project will benefit Burhanpur and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Burhanpur, Nepanagar, Khaknar, and Khalwa tehsils. No villages will be affected, eliminating the need for rehabilitation.

Interstate Water Agreement and Future Plans

CM Yadav announced that discussions with the central government are underway to declare the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project as a National Water Project. He emphasized the importance of cooperation with Maharashtra to implement the Kanhan (Jamghat) multipurpose project, ensuring Madhya Pradesh’s water interests are safeguarded.

He highlighted that the Madhya Pradesh government is continuously working across sectors for development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The state is addressing long-pending water-sharing disputes with neighboring states for mutual benefit, agricultural irrigation, drinking water supply, and industrial needs.

Following successful Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal Project agreements with Rajasthan and ongoing work on the Ken-Betwa river linking project with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh is now moving forward with Maharashtra for the Tapti and Kanhan river projects.

Kanhan Sub-Basin: Chhindwara Complex Multipurpose Project

Approved cost: ₹5,470.95 crore (Sanctioned in 2019)

Proposed infrastructure:

Sangam 1, Sangam 2, Ramghat, and Pandhurna dams

Irrigation coverage: 1,90,500 hectares

Benefiting regions: Junnardeo, Umreth, Chhindwara, Mohkhed, Pandhurna, Sausar, and Bichhua blocks

Reserved water for industries: 20 million cubic meters

Hydropower generation capacity: 30 MW

CM Yadav affirmed that Madhya Pradesh is committed to maximizing water resource utilization for the state and the nation. The Maharashtra Chief Minister has also expressed willingness to resolve long-pending river water projects through solid efforts.

The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, MLA Archana Chitnis, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Rajora, and senior officials from the Water Resources Departments of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

This initiative will ensure sufficient water for irrigation in Madhya Pradesh’s southern region and Maharashtra’s northern region, while also addressing drinking water needs in cities like Nagpur. Officials from both states will coordinate for timely implementation of these projects.

Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat and MLA Archana Chitnis expressed their gratitude to CM Yadav for the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, which is set to transform the Nimar region’s water security and agriculture.

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