**Executive Summary**
This document, originating from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, provides information regarding the Lendi Major Irrigation Project and Babhali Dam, based on a written reply in Rajya Sabha. It details the interstate agreement between Maharashtra and Telangana, the operation of the Babhali Barrage, the status of the Lendi Project, and progress in irrigation projects in Maharashtra. The document references dates and deadlines related to barrage gate operation and water release.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Interstate Agreement and Oversight:**
* An interstate agreement was concluded in 2003 between Maharashtra and Telangana for the Lendi Project.
* An Interstate Board for Joint Irrigation Projects between Maharashtra and Telangana has been constituted for supervision and control.
* **Babhali Barrage Operation:**
* Barrage gates remain lifted from July 15th to October 28th, as per Supreme Court directions.
* Maharashtra is required to release 0.6 TMC of water to Telangana on March 1st each year.
* Regulation is overseen by a Supervisory Committee.
* **Lendi Project Water Allocation:**
* The entire quantum of water available at the Lendi Project site has already been allocated for utilization.
* Further enhancement of water resources at this site will not be considered.
* **Maharashtra Irrigation Projects:**
* In 2018, a Special Package was approved for Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra.
* Aimed at expediting the completion of 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation projects.
* Two SMI projects (Daresarsam and Maniramkhed) have been completed, benefiting the Nanded district.
* The Upper Penganga Major Irrigation Project has been completed, benefiting the districts of Yavatmal, Hingoli, and Nanded.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Government of Maharashtra
* **Impact:** Must adhere to the Supreme Court's directions for barrage gate operation. Required to release water to Telangana annually on March 1st.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with water release requirements and continue oversight of the Babhali Barrage.
**Stakeholder:** Government of Telangana
* **Impact:** Receives water as mandated by the agreement and Supreme Court directives.
* **Action Required:** Monitor water inflow and continue oversight of the Babhali Barrage.
**Stakeholder:** Farmers in Nanded, Yavatmal, and Hingoli districts of Maharashtra
* **Impact:** Increased irrigation potential and improved agricultural development due to completed irrigation projects.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the augmented irrigation potential for agricultural development.
Key Entities Referenced
Lendi Major Irrigation Project: A joint venture irrigation project between Maharashtra and Telangana.
Babhali Dam: A dam related to water sharing agreements between Maharashtra and Telangana, subject to Supreme Court directions.
Maharashtra: One of the states involved in the irrigation projects.
Telangana: One of the states involved in the irrigation projects.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP): A program under which the Upper Penganga Major Irrigation Project was completed.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
LENDI MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECT AND
BABHALI DAM
प्रव तथ: 01 DEC 2025 7:09PM by PIB Delhi
An interstate agreement was concluded in 2003 between the States of Maharashtra and Telangana
(erstwhile Andhra Pradesh), under which the Lendi Project was taken up as a joint venture of both
Governments. To ensure overall supervision and effective control over planning and construction, an
Interstate Board for Joint Irrigation Projects between Maharashtra and Telangana has been constituted.
With regard to the Babhali Barrage, the Government of Maharashtra has informed that, in compliance with
the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the barrage gates remain lifted during the monsoon period i.e.
15th July to 28th October. Due to limited non-monsoon flows, Maharashtra has been unable to store water
in the barrage. Furthermore, as mandated, Maharashtra is required to release 0.6 TMC of water to
Telangana on 1st March each year. Further, regulation of the Babhali Barrage is overseen by a Supervisory
Committee comprising officials from the Central Water Commission, the Government of Maharashtra, and
the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
As regards the Lendi Project, the Government of Maharashtra has informed that the entire quantum of
water available at the project site has already been allocated for utilization. Consequently, the question of
further enhancement of water resources at this site does not arise.
In 2018, the Government of India approved a Special Package for Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra aimed
at expediting the completion of 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation
projects across drought-prone districts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, and other regions of the State.
Under this initiative, two Surface Minor Irrigation projects namely Daresarsam and Maniramkhed have
been completed, providing direct benefits to the Nanded district of Maharashtra.
In addition, the Upper Penganga Major Irrigation Project, benefitting the districts of Yavatmal, Hingoli, and
Nanded has been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation
Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP), thereby augmenting irrigation potential and supporting agricultural
development in these regions.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN
CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
***
ND
(Rajya Sabha US Q98)
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2197167) आगंतुक पटल : 336
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही