K Chandrasekhar Rao, Devendra Fadnavis meeting to sign MoU further delayed

Hyderabad: The meeting between K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Devendra Fadnavis, in Hyderabad to finalise the height of Medigadda and Tummidihatti barrages on the Godavari river is likely to be delayed further.

Though the two Chief Ministers signed the MoU to this effect in Mumbai on March 8, the inter-state board, comprising CMs, irrigation ministers and officials of both the states is yet to meet to finalise the MoU and decide the height of barrages.

Mr Rao had invited Mr Fadnavis to visit Hyderabad to take part in inter-state board meeting to finalise the MoU. The issue assumes significance in the backdrop of the Opposition accusing the TRS government of compromising on the interests of TS by agreeing to restrict the height of Tummidihatti barrage to 148 metres and Medigadda barrage at 100 metres.

The Congress has been claiming that it had signed an MoU with Maharashtra earlier when N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was the CM prescribing the Tummidihatti barrage height at 152 metres.

Mr Rao claimed that Mr Fadnavis would visit Hyderabad soon after the Budget session. Though the session ended on March 31, there have been no indications from the Maharashtra government over Mr Fadnavis' visit.

The CMO officials are in touch with Maharashtra government to finalise Mr Fadnavis's appointment since then. Official sources said though there was no problem with the height of Tummidihatti barrage with TS government already agreeing to a lower height of 148 metres as sought by Maharashtra, consensus is yet to be reached on Medigadda barrage with Maharashtra insisting on 100 metres while TS is seeking up to 103 metres.

The Maharashtra government is yet to take a final call on Medigadda height due to which there has been a delay in Fadnavis's visit to Hyderabad to sign the deal.