08 July,2026 10:10 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Pic/PTI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday welcomed the resolution of long-pending issues linked to the Narmada river project, calling the agreement a "win-win" arrangement for Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The decades-old dispute related to cost-sharing arrangements and pending payments for the Narmada project was resolved after an agreement was signed by the four states in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters after the development, Fadnavis credited Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil for helping the states reach a consensus.
"There were several ongoing disputes regarding this Narmada project--specifically involving Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Discussions were held to resolve these disputes collectively, and today, we have successfully resolved them. We feel that the Home Minister and the Jal Shakti Minister played a pivotal role in this process."
Explaining the outcome of the agreement, Fadnavis said Maharashtra had received major relief regarding financial claims linked to the project.
"As a result, the substantial outstanding dues previously claimed against us have been waived; Maharashtra is now required to pay only Rs 27 crore, whereas earlier, claims amounting to Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 crore had been raised against us."
The agreement focuses on settling pending financial matters among states that are beneficiaries of the Narmada Award. According to officials, the payment-related issues have now been resolved through a one-time settlement.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister also highlighted discussions regarding the state's share of water from the project and alternative arrangements proposed due to geographical challenges.
"Maharashtra was entitled to receive 10 TMC of water, but due to geographical and topographical constraints, that water could not be delivered. Therefore, we proposed two alternative projects: one involving the diversion of 5 TMC of water, and another where securing 5 TMC from Ukai Dam would be beneficial to us. These proposals have received in-principle approval today," he added.
Fadnavis said the agreement reflected coordination among states and described it as an example of cooperative federalism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, stating that "four states united to formulate a win-win proposition through today's meeting."
The agreement was signed in the presence of Amit Shah, CR Patil, Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and senior officials from the Centre and the concerned states.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the agreement marks a significant step in resolving disputes between the four states related to the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said, "This agreement marks a historic milestone in resolving the long-standing disputes among the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra relating to the cost-sharing arrangements for the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project."
Addressing the meeting, Shah said that pending payment issues under the Narmada Award had remained unresolved for several years and had now been settled through discussions among all stakeholders.
(With inputs from ANI)
