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Context:

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

What is the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project?

• About: It is a cooperative interstate groundwater recharging program in which Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will develop three Tapti River streams that originate in Multai, MP.
• It is the third significant interstate river project involving MP, after the Ken-Betwa Link Project (MP and UP) and the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (MP and Rajasthan). 

Key Features:

• The project aims to redirect the Tapti River to facilitate irrigation in southern and southeastern Madhya Pradesh and to provide drinking water in northeastern Maharashtra. 
• With 11.76 TMC allotted to MP and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra, the total utilization is 31.13 TMC. 
• Building a diversion weir and developing right and left bank canals in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are all part of the project.  
• There will be no need for rehabilitation or displacement, as the project utilizes 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh. 

Districts That Will Benefit

The project will address groundwater stress and unpredictable rainfall in the Burhanpur and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana districts of Maharashtra.

Tapti River:

• Origin: Rises from Multai in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.
  
  
• Length: 724 km – second longest west-flowing river in India (after Narmada).
  
  
• Flow Direction: East to West.
  
  
• Drainage: Empties into the Gulf of Khambhat, Arabian Sea (in Gujarat).
  
  
• States Covered: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
  
  
• Major City: Flows through Surat, Gujarat.
  
  
• Important Bridges: Crossed by Magdalla and ONGC Bridge in Surat.
  
  

Tributaries:

• Right Bank (4) – originate from Satpura Ranges:
  
  
• Vaki, Aner, Arunawati, Gomai
  
  
• Left Bank (10) – from Gawilgarh hills, Ajanta hills, Western Ghats, Satmala hills:
  
  
• Nesu, Amravati, Buray, Panjhara, Bori, Girna, Waghur, Purna, Mona, Sipna
  
  

Basin:

• Covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

Ukai Dam:

• Built to control floods and generate hydroelectric power.

Courtesy: ResearchGate

Source: The Hindu