Bengaluru: Having received the green signal for it from the Centre, the state government is getting ready to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed dam at Mekedatu in the Cauvery river basin.
The detailed project report is expected to take between six and nine months to complete. Water Resources Minister, D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to visit Mekadatu on December 7 with officials of the forest and environment departments to do a recce.
Speaking to reporters , the Minister explained that he was visiting the site of the project as Mekedatu was part of his Assembly constituency.
“The dam is expected to cost Rs. 5,912 crore to build and will store 64 tmcft of water. It will be a multipurpose reservoir, providing both drinking water and generating hydro-electricity simultaneously. It could two or three years to build,” he explained, adding that nearly 5,000 hectares would be acquired for the project, including forest and agricultural land and his own farmland.
On Tamil Nadu filing an interlocutory application before the Supreme Court opposing the project, Mr. Shivakumar said that the state would file its reply once it received a notice from the court.
Asked about the planned makeover of the Brindavan Gardens in Mysuru, the Minister said that it had been decided to constitute a committee to oversee it.
The members would include Ministers, MPs and MLAs from Mandya and Mysuru, besides a member of the Mysuru royal family, members of the Mysuru Engineering Association and others.
“The government has earmarked Rs 5 crore for a detailed project report to create a Disney Land at Brindavan Gardens with games, hotels, a watch tower in the shape of godess Cauvery and other amenities,” he added.
