Karnataka seeks Tamil Nadu cooperation for Mekedatu project
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar says the Supreme Court has upheld the state's right to build the reservoir.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday that the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project requires cooperation from Tamil Nadu rather than its approval. Speaking to reporters in Hassan, Shivakumar stated that the project is intended to meet Bengaluru’s drinking-water needs and generate 400 MW of electricity.
The Chief Minister noted that the Supreme Court had upheld Karnataka’s rights over the project and that a review petition from Tamil Nadu had been rejected. He said the state remains committed to releasing 177 TMC of Cauvery water annually as directed. This comes as the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the Cauvery Water Management Authority have asked Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days.
According to reports from Urban Acres and The Economic Times, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over a reported site inspection. Vijay urged the Union government not to grant approvals without the consent of co-basin states, alleging that Karnataka had failed to ensure Tamil Nadu's due share of water.
Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu leaders were unaware that the project would benefit both states by regulating river flows. He mentioned that the project would submerge 5,400 hectares of forest land and that the state has identified around 5,400 acres of land for compensatory afforestation.
The Chief Minister added that approval from the Union environment and forest authorities remains pending. He said he has held discussions with the Union Jal Shakti ministry and intends to meet the Prime Minister soon.