Tamil Nadu Congress chief warns against Mekedatu dam project construction
Manickam Tagore said the proposed reservoir would ruin agriculture in the Cauvery delta and called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remain neutral.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Manickam Tagore has warned that the proposed Mekedatu dam project would devastate agriculture in the Cauvery delta. Speaking in Thanjavur, Tagore said the construction would have severe consequences for the state and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remain neutral in the matter, according to ANI.
Tagore criticised the Prime Minister for not responding to remarks made by Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during an event attended by the Prime Minister. Tagore stated that the Prime Minister should have pushed back on stage rather than remaining silent and said the Prime Minister's silence is causing concern and fear.
The Mekedatu project is a proposed balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River in Karnataka designed to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and produce hydroelectric power. Tamil Nadu has opposed the project due to fears regarding water availability for downstream delta districts.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the state would follow the law of the land and that he had already mentioned the matter to the Prime Minister. Shivakumar stated that while Tamil Nadu might oppose the project politically, Karnataka has a commitment to do its job.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the Supreme Court had given directions and that the law was on Karnataka's side. He added that the project would benefit both states and noted that Shivakumar had offered the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister an opportunity for dialogue.