Karnataka CM seeks Tamil Nadu support for Mekedatu reservoir project
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar says the Supreme Court has cleared the state to build the reservoir on its own land.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for cooperation regarding the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir. According to reports from The Economic Times and Urban Acres, Shivakumar stated that the state intends to proceed with the project as the Supreme Court has already permitted Karnataka to build the reservoir on its own territory.
Shivakumar said the project would assist both states in managing water shortages within the Cauvery basin. He noted that Karnataka is required to release 177 tmc ft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu annually and affirmed that the state would honour this legal obligation.
The Chief Minister invited a delegation from Tamil Nadu to review the project and stated that leaders from the BJP and NDA in Karnataka support the state's position. He added that the project is intended to help regulate river flows and improve water management for the region.
Regarding environmental requirements, Shivakumar said Karnataka has identified approximately 5,400 hectares of land for compensatory afforestation. The state will submit an application once the transfer of this land to the forest department is complete, after which the water commission will make a decision.
These remarks follow a letter from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the letter, Vijay expressed concern over reports of site inspections and urged the Union government not to grant approvals without the consent of co-basin states, alleging that Karnataka has failed to ensure Tamil Nadu's due share of water.