Tapi Basin Mega Recharge Project: World's Largest Ground Recharge Initiative

The Tapi Basin Mega Recharge Project is recognized as the largest ground recharge project in the world. It involves the utilization of 31.13 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water — out of which 11.76 TMC is allocated to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.

The project will provide irrigation benefits to 1,23,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra. On May 10, Madhya Pradesh took a historic step forward when Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of GYAN (Garib, Yuva, Annadata, Nari Shakti - Poor, Youth, Farmers, and Women Empowerment), signed an MoU with Maharashtra for this joint project.

The MoU was signed during the 28th meeting of the Maharashtra Inter-State Control Board, held at Kushabhau Convention Center in Bhopal. Both CM Dr. Mohan Yadav and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis were present during the agreement signing ceremony, marking a new era of collaboration between the two states.

A New Chapter in Inter-State Cooperation

CM Yadav expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for prioritizing inter-state water projects and arranging funds for them. He emphasized the cultural and natural significance of the Tapi River, comparing it to the sacred Narmada. Madhya Pradesh, despite lacking glaciers, supplies more water to other Indian states than even the Ganga and Yamuna due to its rich river network.

The Tapi Basin Mega Recharge Project is hailed as a natural marvel, acting as a lifeline for the Nimar region. It will improve groundwater levels and irrigation efficiency, while also promoting trade through Maharashtra's ports and infrastructure such as a dedicated freight corridor from Jabalpur to Nagpur.

The plan also includes integrating religious tourism circuits by connecting Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh with Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, and Grishneshwar in Maharashtra.

Economic and Agricultural Impact

CM Devendra Fadnavis called the day historic, as the long-awaited Tapi recharge project finally moved forward after decades. He praised the project’s innovative nature, citing observations from the site where water recharged wells for 24 hours without overflow. This will bring transformational change to districts like Okala, Buldhana, and Amravati, benefiting both farmers and the states’ economies.

Districts to Benefit in Madhya Pradesh

The project will directly benefit four tehsils in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur and Khandwa districts: Burhanpur, Nepanagar, Khaknar, and Khalwa. Discussions are underway with the central government to declare the Tapi Recharge Project as a National Water Project.

Other Major River Linking Initiatives

Dr. Yadav highlighted other inter-state water projects being undertaken in Madhya Pradesh under PM Modi's river-linking mission. These include:

• Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project – set to benefit the Bundelkhand region.
• Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal River Project – being carried out in coordination with Rajasthan, to benefit Malwa and Chambal areas.

Likewise, the Tapi Basin Mega Recharge Project will prove to be a boon for the Nimar region, enhancing water availability and agricultural productivity for thousands of farmers.