New Delhi

Maharashtra government today demanded that Khandesh region of the state should get 16.5 TMC share of water from Ukai dam located in Gujarat.

Ukai dam is constructed on Tapi river at the boundary of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Maharashtra Minister of State for Water Resources Vijay Shivtare made the demand while speaking at the fifth meeting of a special committee for interlinking of rivers here.

Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and President of Interlinking River Project Sawarlal Jat chaired the meeting.

During the meeting, the panel discussed Par-Tapi-Narmada, Damanganga-Pinjal and Wainganga-Gosikhurd projects.

“Maharashtra will get 28.5 TMC water from Par-Tapi-Narmada project. Out of this, 16.5 TMC water will go into sea. Gujarat has demanded the said quantity of water which will go into sea be given to it. Hence, in return of that, we have demanded we get equal quantity of water from Ukai dam for Khandesh region,” Shivtare said.

The state government also said the K Chandrasekhar Rao dispensation in Telangana has given positive response to its demand that height of Pranhita irrigation scheme be reduced to 148 metres from proposed 152 metres, which is feared may cause submergence of 30 villages in Maharashtra.

Shivtare also informed that the detailed report of Damanganga-Pinjal river link project has been prepared.

“The state government though has suggested some important changes to the project, which will fulfill Mumbai’s water requirements up to 2050,” he said.

“Around 21 TMC potable water will be available (after the project is complete). We want excess water from here is lifted and diverted to Godavari irrigation project,” he said as he demanded the project be given national status.

PTI