Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, aimed at tackling water scarcity in drought-prone regions.

This ambitious project promises to rejuvenate groundwater resources and improve irrigation across key areas in both states.

The project, which is expected to become the world’s largest groundwater recharge initiative, highlights the growing need for collaborative efforts in addressing water crises and ensuring long-term water security for agricultural and drinking purposes.

Key Points:

Project Overview:

The Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project will focus on groundwater recharge, addressing water shortages in several districts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

This initiative will significantly improve water availability for agricultural and drinking water needs.

Water Utilization:

Total Utilization: 31.13 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) of water.

Madhya Pradesh: 11.76 TMC

Maharashtra: 19.36 TMC

Estimated Cost:

The project is expected to cost ?19,244 crore, with 90% of the funding provided by the Union Government.

Land Utilization:

The project will use 3,362 hectares of land, without the need for displacement or rehabilitation.

Irrigation Impact:

The project will benefit 3,57,788 hectares of land, with:

Madhya Pradesh: 1,23,082 hectares

Maharashtra: 2,34,706 hectares.

Key Infrastructure:

Kharia Gutighat Weir: An 8.31 TMC capacity low diversion weir to be built at the border of Khandwa (MP) and Amravati (MH) districts.

Canal systems:

Right Bank Canal Phase I (221 km)

Left Bank Canal Phase I (135.64 km) and Phase II (123.97 km)

Governance and Implementation:

The Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra Inter-State Control Board will oversee the project's implementation.

A review meeting is scheduled for October 2025 to assess the progress of the project.

Environmental and Social Benefits:

The project avoids traditional environmental costs associated with large reservoirs, such as displacement and forest land submergence.

It promises to enhance water security, benefiting millions in the drought-prone regions of both states.

The project represents a major step toward collaborative inter-state water resource management, with the goal of ensuring sustainable water solutions for agriculture and urban needs in the region.