Karnataka Cabinet had recently taken a decision to implement the Rs. 5,912 crore Mekedatu Multipurpose (drinking and power) Project across the river Cauvery, which involves building a balancing reservoir with a capacity of about 66 tmcft, near Kanakapura in Ramanagaram district.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami had written a letter to Modi with regard to the objection to this project.
The dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the sharing of Cauvery waters is decades old. For many years, both the states have been maintaining differences over the sharing of water.
Karnataka intends to build a reservoir across river Cauvery near Mekedatu in Kanakapura taluk. It was first proposed along with Shivanasamudra hydro power project at Shimsa in 2003 with an intention to use the water for a hydro power station and supply drinking water to Bengaluru city.
However, Tamil Nadu objected saying Karnataka had not sought prior permission for the project. Its argument was that the project would affect the flow of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
In 2015, Tamil Nadu adopted a resolution urging the Centre to stop Karnataka from going ahead with the project. Karnataka stated that it will not go by the whims and fancies of Tamil Nadu and said that it will use only the excess water after supplying 192 tmcft to Tamil Nadu as per the Cauvery water tribunal order.
According to experts, Mekedaatu, located about 110 km from Bengaluru, could address the city’s growing thirst in the near future provided neighbouring Tamil Nadu does not spoil Karnataka’s plans.
