New Delhi: Tamil Nadu on Wednesday strongly opposed in the Supreme Court the Karnataka's government proposal for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposal to construct Mekedatu dam in the Cauvery river basin.
The State made this submission before a Bench of Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi hearing an application challenging the Karnataka government's move to go ahead with the preparation of DPR. TN has sought a direction to CWC to withdraw the letter dated 22.11.2018 granting permission for the preparation of DPR with regard to the project The Bench after hearing counsel for the Centre and the States granted time to Centre, Karnataka and Kerala to file their response and posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks.
Tamil Nadu pointed out that in the letter of Central Water Commission dated 22.11.2018, it is stated that while preparing the DPR, the views of other co-basin States would also be taken into consideration. However, Karnataka has not sought the views of the co-basin States. Karnataka has filed the DPR without complying with conditions imposed in letter dated 22.11.2018 and without considering the objections of the co-basin States. Tamil Nadu said.
The State reiterated that the Mekedatu Reservoir proposal should not be considered as Karnataka is drawing water from Netkal Balancing Reservoir to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru. There is no need for a reservoir at Mekedatu by Karnataka. The proposed reservoir would impound the uncontrolled intermediate flows between KRS, Kabini and Billigundulu. Further Tamil Nadu would be deprived of monthly flows for irrigation in the crucial months from June to September, it contended.
