Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

• 16 May 2025

Why in News? 

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project . 

Key Points  

• About the project: 
  • This is the world's largest groundwater recharge scheme , which aims to ensure optimal utilization of river water resources for irrigation in both (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) states. 
  • Under this , Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will jointly develop three tributaries of the Tapti River originating from Multai, Madhya Pradesh. 
  • This is the third major inter-state river project involving Madhya Pradesh after Ken-Betwa Link Project (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh) and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project ( Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan). 
• Key Features: 
  • Water Allocation: Under this project, water will be transferred from the Tapti River to provide drinking water supply to north-eastern Maharashtra and for irrigation support in southern and south-eastern Madhya Pradesh . 
    • The total water available for use is 31.13 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) , out of which 11.76 TMC is allocated to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra 
    • The project involves construction of a diversion weir on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border and development of right and left bank canals in both the states.  
    • Under this project, 3,362 hectares of land of Madhya Pradesh will be used, for which no displacement or rehabilitation will be required. 
  • Beneficiary Districts: The project covers Burhanpur and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh and Akola, Amravati and Buldhana districts of Maharashtra , which have traditionally suffered from groundwater stress and erratic rainfall . 

 Tapi/Tapti River: 

• Another important west-flowing river originates from the Satpura mountain range in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. 
• It flows in a fault valley parallel to the Narmada but its length is much shorter. 
• Its basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. 
• The three major tributaries of the Tapti River —the Purna, Girna, and Panjara —flow from the south in the state of Maharashtra. 

Ukai Dam: A major hydroelectric project located on the Tapi River , which provides water and power to the surrounding areas.