Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra for the world’s first ground recharge project in the Tapti Basin. The initiative aims to create three streams from the Tapti River to provide irrigation water, benefiting both states. The project is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to implement inter-state river projects, with the third such project being worked on within a year.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the upcoming MoU signing, which will be attended by Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Bhopal. The announcement came during a meeting chaired by the CM on the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge and Kanhan Sub Basin Projects, held at Mantralaya on Friday. Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, along with senior officials from the Maharashtra water resources department, were also present.

Yadav said that discussions would be held with the Union government to declare the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project as a National Water Project. He also said that Madhya Pradesh's interests would be prioritised in the proposed Kanhan (Jamghat) multipurpose project. The completion of the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project will provide irrigation facilities for over 1.23 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2.34 lakh hectares in Maharashtra. The project will specifically benefit four tehsils in Burhanpur and Khandwa districts—Burhanpur, Nepanagar, Khaknar, and Khalwa.

Kanhan project

Chief Minister Yadav said that steps would be taken to implement the Kanhan Sub Basin Project. This initiative aims to boost irrigation facilities in Chhindwara district, benefiting local farmers, and provide a reliable drinking water supply to Nagpur city in Maharashtra.

Water-sharing plan

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted the water-sharing plan under the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, stating that 31.13 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic) water would be utilised. Of this, Madhya Pradesh will receive 11.76 TMC, while Maharashtra will receive 19.36 TMC. The project aims to enhance irrigation and water accessibility across both states.

Through the project, a total of 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh will be brought under cultivation. CM Yadav assured that no villages would be displaced, as the project will not require any rehabilitation efforts.The project is also part of a broader effort to resolve longstanding water distribution issues with neighbouring Maharashtra. Madhya Pradesh has entered the first stage of discussions to address these concerns.

Chhindwara Multi-purpose Project Details

* The administrative approval of Rs 5470.95 crore was issued in 2019

* Under this, more than 1.90 hectare area will beirrigated in Chhindwara

* Beneficiary areas include Junnardeo, Umreth,Chhindwara, Mohkheda, Pandurna, Bichua.

* Hydel power production of 30 MW is proposed.