The decks have been cleared for the ambitious Tapti Mega Recharge Project, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announcing that his government had “removed all obstacles” for the interstate project with Maharashtra and is now heading towards an agreement. The announcement came following a meeting of the state Cabinet. The project is meant to supply water to Maharashtra's northern region and Madhya Pradesh’s southern areas. It is also aimed at addressing drinking water concerns in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and irrigation needs in Chhindwara, MP, officials from the state government said. A formal signing is expected soon, with the Union Minister of Jal Shakti and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister likely to visit Bhopal for the official proceedings, the officials said. According to the Madhya Pradesh government, once signed and implemented, it will be the world’s largest groundwater recharge. During Friday’s Cabinet meeting, the chief minister directed officials to expedite the implementation of the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge and Kanhan Sub-Basin projects. The project aims to maximize water utilization by diverting the Tapti River into three streams, ensuring extensive irrigation across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and is part of Madhya Pradesh’s broader efforts to resolve long-standing interstate water-sharing disputes. After the meeting, Yadav told the media that Madhya Pradesh is working to "ensure sufficient water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use while maintaining harmonious relations with adjoining regions". The Tapti Mega Recharge Project will utilise 31.13 TMC of water, with 11.76 TMC allocated to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra. The project will irrigate 1,23,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra, particularly benefiting Burhanpur and Khandwa districts. Officials confirmed that no villages would be displaced, eliminating the need for a rehabilitation programme . Originally proposed to be a 66 TMC reservoir, concerns about land displacement and environmental impact - including effects on forest areas and tiger reserves - led to a shift towards a groundwater recharge model. The revised plan includes four key water structures. The Khariya Gutighat Low Diversion Weir, on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border, will store 8.31 TMC of water. A 221 km right bank canal, with 110 km in Madhya Pradesh, will irrigate 55,089 hectares. A 135.64 km left bank canal, including 100.42 km in Madhya Pradesh, will provide water for 44,993 hectares. Another left bank canal extension, stretching 123.97 km with a 14 km tunnel, will irrigate 80,000 hectares in Maharashtra.
