Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Sign MoU for World's Largest Groundwater Recharge Project
Bhopal, May 10 – In a landmark collaboration, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, hailed by officials as the world’s largest groundwater recharge initiative.The agreement was formalized in Bhopal with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis leading the ceremony. MP Irrigation Minister Tulsi Silavat and his Maharashtra counterpart Girish Mahajan were also present.
Project Aims and Allocation
The Tapti River, referred to as Tapi in Maharashtra, originates in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district and meanders through Maharashtra. The mega project is designed to harness the river’s potential to benefit both states.- Total Water Usage: 31.13 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet
- Madhya Pradesh Allocation: 11.76 TMC
- Maharashtra Allocation: 19.36 TMC
Key Benefits
The project is set to transform irrigation and drinking water access across both states:- Madhya Pradesh: Irrigation for 1,23,082 hectares across Burhanpur and Khandwa districts, covering tehsils like Burhanpur, Nepanagar, Khaknar, and Khalwa.
- Maharashtra: Irrigation coverage for 2,34,706 hectares, with enhanced water supply to north-eastern regions, including Nagpur.
Major Infrastructure
A low diversion weir with a storage capacity of 8.31 TMC will be constructed at the Kharia Gutighat Dam, strategically located in Khalwa tehsil (Khandwa, MP) and Amravati district (Maharashtra). This structure will play a pivotal role in channeling and storing water for the recharge initiative.This unprecedented joint venture marks a significant step towards sustainable water management and interstate cooperation in India.
