Mysore: While Tamil Nadu is strongly against the Mekedatu project on the Cauvery, officers of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) say its high time the dam was built as Karnataka has released 505.99 tmcft of water in excess to the neighbouring state over the last 10 years.
Although the state is required to release only 192 tmcft of water per annum to Tamil Nadu under the 2007 order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, a lot more is released in a good rain year. Also a large quantity of water goes into the sea owing to the natural flow of the river, they point out. Says A CNNL official, “On an average, Karnataka releases 50 to 60 tmcft of water in excess every year.
Sometimes it has released around 200 tmcft of water in excess. In 2005-06, we released 383.92 tmcft of water and in 2007-08 over 353 tmcft,” they recall.
Melkote MLA, K.S. Puttanaiah says he is surprised by Tamil Nadu’s objection to Mekedatu. “Cauvery has always been a political tool for Tamil Nadu politicians, but the state government must remain firm on implementing the Mekedatu drinking water scheme. It is not a new proposal and has been under consideration for many years,” he points out.
Members of the Cauvery River Protection Committee, which spearheaded the Cauvery agitation, warn that if Tamil Nadu tries to derail the Mekedatu project they will explore legal options to stall its Hoggenekkal drinking water project, which is reportedly in the final stages of completion.
The state government has, meanwhile, already called for global tenders for Expression of Interest (EOI) and explained to the courts that it is within its rights to implement the project. Once Mekedatu is commissioned, it is expected to end the drinking water problems of Bengaluru, Mysuru and other cities in the state permanently.
