Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who completed his Delhi tour and reached Mumbai, will meet his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis on Tuesday to discuss inter-State irrigation projects with him.

Incidentally, Tuesday is Chandrasekhar Rao’s birthday. This is his first birthday after Rao become chief minister of the new state.

The chief minister after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday left for Mumbai. Irrigation minister T Harish Rao, forest minister Jogu Ramanna and state government advisor (Irrigation) R Vidyasagar Rao too left for Mumbai from Hyderabad on Monday.

Already official-level talks between the  irrigation ministers of two states concluded a few months ago. Now, after the talks between the two chief ministers, some official and positive annoucement will be made on Tuesday, sources said. The agenda for the meeting between Telangana and Maharashtra chief ministers on Tuesday is as follows:

Pranahita-Chevella: Though Maharashtra conceded to the demand of Telangana to increase the height of a barrage that will come up in Adilabad to 152 metres, it is to be officially announced by the Maharashtra government. Maharashtra may announce this decision after the talks between two chief ministers. Once, the Maharashtra announces  officially about increase in barrage height then only the TS government will be able to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on Pranahita-Chevella.

Around 1,800 acres in two districts in Maharashtra will be submerged under the backwaters of Pranahita-Chevella. The Telangana government will give an assurance to cooperate with the Maharashtra to finalise relief and rehabilitation (R&R) package.

Lendi: Lendi project was proposed to irrigate 30,000 acres in Jukkal Assembly segment in Nizamabad district. Around four villages in Maharashtra will be submerged under the project. Though, the TS  government released `500 crore for R&R, the works are still going on at a slow pace. The CM will discuss in detail about the R&R package and see that the project works are speeded up.

Lower Penganga: Lower Penganga is a joint project of both Maharashtra and Telangana states. This project is intended to irrigate 48,000 acre in Adilabad district. The head-works will be in Maharashtra. Telangana will get 5 tmc ft water. The ayacut in Maharashtra is around 3.5 lakh acres. Of the total cost of the project, 88 per cent will be borne by Maharashtra and 12 pc by Telangana. Yavatmal, Hingoli and Nanded districts in Maharashtra will be benefited. Now, there is a fresh proposal to construct three more barrages as part of Lower Penganga. The first barrage will be constructed by Maharashtra and the remaining two barrages will be constructed by TS government. This proposal may be finalised at the meeting.