₹19,244 Crore Tapti Mega Recharge: A Joint Effort for Water Security

On May 10, 2025, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bhopal to jointly implement the ₹19,244 crore Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project — a large-scale inter-state initiative aimed at addressing water scarcity in both states. The agreement was signed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Touted as the world’s largest water recharge scheme, the project involves diverting water from the Tapti River — known as Tapi in Maharashtra and originating in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh — to provide drinking water to northeastern Maharashtra, including Nagpur, and irrigation support to Burhanpur and Khandwa districts in Madhya Pradesh.

The project is expected to benefit 5.78 lakh acres of land, ensuring permanent irrigation for 1,23,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra. It will utilize 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh, with no displacement of villages or need for rehabilitation, according to CM Yadav.

The total planned water utilization stands at 31.13 TMC, with 11.76 TMC allocated to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra. The state governments plan to seek national project status from the Centre, which would make it eligible for up to 90% central funding.

This marks Madhya Pradesh's third major inter-state river initiative in a year, following the Ken–Betwa and Parvati–Kalisindh–Chambal river link projects.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.