In a major step towards regional water sustainability, Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project- one of the world’s largest groundwater recharge initiatives.
Key Highlights
- States Involved: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
- Project Name: Tapti (Tapi) Basin Mega Recharge Project
- MoU Signed At: Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra Inter-State Control Board meeting, Bhopal
- Objective: Joint inter-state groundwater recharge and optimal utilization of river water for irrigation and drinking water
- Funding: 90% of the cost to be funded by the Central Government
- Estimated Project Cost: ₹19,244 crore (2022–23 estimates)
- Status: Project proposal may be recommended as a National Water Project
Key Features of Project
- Source River: Tapti (originates at Multai, Betul district, Madhya Pradesh)
- Water Utilization Planned:31.13 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet)
- Madhya Pradesh: 11.76 TMC
- Maharashtra: 19.36 TMC
- Total Area Benefited (Irrigation):
- Madhya Pradesh: 1,23,082 hectares (Burhanpur, Khandwa)
- Maharashtra: 2,34,706 hectares (Jalgaon, Akola, Buldhana, Amravati)
- Combined: 5.78 lakh acres
- Drinking Water Benefits: To areas of northeastern Maharashtra, including Nagpur
- Third Inter-State Water Project by MP in one year
- After Ken–Betwa (with UP) and Parvati–Kalisindh–Chambal (with Rajasthan)
Beneficiary Regions
| State | Districts Benefited |
| Madhya Pradesh | Burhanpur, Khandwa, and surrounding southern/se regions |
| Maharashtra | Jalgaon, Akola, Buldhana, Amravati, and Vidarbha zone |
About Tapti River
- Origin: Multai, Betul district, Madhya Pradesh
- Flows Through: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Drainage: Into the Arabian Sea (Gulf of Khambhat)
- Length: India’s 2nd longest west-flowing river (after Narmada)
- Known As: Tapti in MP, Tapi in Maharashtra
- Major Tributaries:
- Left Bank (10): Purna (main), Girna, Waghur, Mona, Sipna, Panjhara, Bori, etc.
- Right Bank (4): Vaki, Aner, Arunawati, Gomai
- Important Dams:
- Ukai Dam – Gujarat
- Hathnur Dam – Maharashtra
Strategic & Developmental Importance
- Will permanently irrigate over 3.57 lakh hectares
- Supports drinking water supply in northeastern Maharashtra including Nagpur
- Enhances inter-State river resource utilization for sustainable development
- Supports climate resilience, groundwater recharge, and irrigation expansion
- Expected to contribute to agricultural growth, drinking water access, and drought resilience in Vidarbha and North Maharashtra as well as South and Southeast Madhya Pradesh
- Third major water-sharing project by MP in one year, after:
- Ken–Betwa Link Project with Uttar Pradesh
- Parvati–Kalisindh–Chambal Link with Rajasthan