Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar has renewed his invitation to the Tamil Nadu government for talks on the Mekedatu project and asked Tamil Nadu to send a delegation to inspect the proposed reservoir site, saying officials who examined the terrain have found that the project was unsuited for irrigation.
The renewed outreach follows CM C Joseph Vijay’s proposed visit to Bengaluru in August to discuss the Cauvery water issue and Mekedatu. That visit was deferred, with Shivakumar later offering to host Vijay for a visit to the Cauvery basin.
Shivakumar asks Vijay to inspect project site
Speaking to reporters at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi after meeting Union ministers, Shivakumar said the Centre had understood Karnataka’s position that water from Mekedatu would be used strictly for drinking purposes. “The Union Minister has understood that water from the Mekedatu project will be used strictly for drinking purposes and cannot be used for irrigation. The Tamil Nadu government should also send a delegation to inspect the project site,” he said.
He said he would again seek a meeting with Vijay to discuss the project. “A request will be made to the CM of Tamil Nadu to meet and discuss the Mekedatu project,” Shivakumar said.
{{/usCountry}}He said he would again seek a meeting with Vijay to discuss the project. “A request will be made to the CM of Tamil Nadu to meet and discuss the Mekedatu project,” Shivakumar said.
{{/usCountry}}Shivakumar said Karnataka would extend full cooperation if Tamil Nadu sent officials to the site. He said a Central team already inspected the area and alternative land had been identified for forest land that would be submerged by the project.
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“Even if a team from Tamil Nadu visits, full cooperation will be extended to them. Officials have also realised that water cannot be misused,” he said.
The CM said the issue had also been discussed with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, whom he met in New Delhi. The talks covered Mekedatu, Krishna and other water disputes involving Karnataka. “Discussions were held with Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil regarding Krishna, Mekedatu, and other water disputes of the state. A request was made for the Centre to intervene and support the state’s irrigation projects, to which the Minister responded positively,” he said.
Projects and release of funds
Karnataka has submitted a fresh detailed project report for the ₹16,745 crore Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project and has sought an early appraisal by the Central Water Commission. Shivakumar said he had also sought release of funds due to Karnataka.
On Mahadayi project, Shivakumar said the Centre assured Karnataka a joint meeting would be held to discuss water and forest related issues. “They have assured to hold a joint meeting regarding Mahadayi and forest related issues,” he said.
He said the Centre had also promised to convene a meeting of the chief ministers of neighbouring states to address issues concerning the Upper Krishna Project. “Additionally, regarding the Upper Krishna Project, they have promised to resolve the issue by calling a meeting of the chief ministers of neighbouring states,” he said.
Shivakumar rejected allegations that correspondence relating to Mahadayi project was not being handled properly and said political commitment was required to resolve the issue.
“All those are false. The Union Minister has also made efforts in this regard. Political commitment is necessary for this. A request has been made to hold a separate meeting with the forest department,” he said.
He also raised the Upper Bhadra Project issue, saying Centre allocated ₹5,300 crore for it but had not released funds. “Even though central government allocated ₹5,300 crore for Upper Bhadra project in 2023 budget, funds have not been released. We keep asking for it, but they are not releasing it,” he said.
Opposition in TN seeks all-party meet after Shivakumar’s statement
Former CM and general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Tuesday sought CM C Joseph Vijay to immediately convene an all party meeting after Shivakumar said that an expert team has inspected the proposed Mekedatu site.
“Was he afraid to face his counterpart in Karnataka?” Palaniswami said in a party statement here on Tuesday.
Shivakumar’s statement that a central team visited and inspected the site were the dam across river Cauvery is expected to come up, Palaniswami said, “it is strongly condemnable.” He slammed Vijay for not issuing any comment on Shivakumar’s statement and there was also no response from TN government regarding this so far.
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“A question has raised among the public whether the TN government was colluding with Karnataka (on the issue),” he said.
Palaniswami flayed Shivakumar over his meeting with Patil to seek his approval for the construction of the dam also raises ‘serious suspicions’.
Hitting out at Vijay, Palaniswami asked, “does the CM not know the constitutional law that no new dam can be constructed without receiving the consent of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry?”
“We strongly condemn the TN government and the CM of reels for betraying Tamil Nadu farmers”, Palaniswami said.
P Shanmugam expresses ‘deep shock’
Meanwhile, the state secretary of CPI(M) P Shanmugam expressed “deep shock” over the meeting of Shivakumar with Patil and urged the Union BJP government that under no circumstances it grants permission to Karnataka government to construct the dam at Mekedatu.
“Karnataka government never released TN’s due monthly share of water based on the tribunal award and the final verdict of the Supreme Court,” Shanmugam said on Tuesday.
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“Under these circumstances, if the Mekedatu dam is constructed, the Cauvery Delta region will turn into a desert due to the lack of Tamil Nadu’s rightful water supply. This will create a dire situation where TN faces immense hardship for both drinking and irrigation needs,” he said, adding, “TN government must immediately convene a meeting of all political party leaders and farmers’ association representatives.”
Hindustan Times reached out to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for their comments but did not receive a response.