Bengaluru: Will the much awaited Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, which is expected to slake the thirst of Bengalureans and provide a permanent solution to the water crisis in the IT City and nearby districts, finally get going?
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy seems intent on making a fresh beginning by meeting his Tamil Nadu counterpart to seek his consent for the Mekedatu project which is seen as a 'good gesture'. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 5,912 crore with the storage capacity of the reservoir estimated at 66.50 TMC. The project will provide drinking water to Bengaluru and adjoining areas, and also be useful for power generation when completed.
The CM has initiated the process of a dialogue with the neighbouring state after releasing a huge quantity of Cauvery water to bury differences between the two states on the Cauvery issue. The Union government has already constituted the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal which after years of deliberation, had fixed the quota of water to be released to the lower riparian states from the Cauvery basin projects.
Karnataka received record rains this year resulting in the filling up of all dams in the Cauvery basin, and the release of huge amounts of water to TN where the Mettur dam has already filled up. This has made the CM push for completion of the Mekedatu project.
Water Resources Minister in the previous government, Mr M.B. Patil had got a Detailed Project Report (DPR) done for the project. However, the TN government took strong objection to the construction of the balancing reservoir then contending that it would cut into their quota of 177.25 tmc ft of water in a normal year. They had also brought this to the notice of the Supreme Court and sought a direction to Karnataka not to take up any such project. The TN government was then angry as it did not get its share of water owing to severe drought in Karnataka for four years.
A senior officer of the water resources department told Deccan Chronicle that the DPR of the proposed Mekedatu project had already been sent to the Central Water Commission and the Union government. As of now, the project is pending before the CWC.
Meanwhile, Mr Mohan Katarki, an advocate representing Karnataka on the Cauvery issue, said as per the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal’s order, there is no restriction to stop Karnataka from taking up new projects, provided the state ensures the release of 177.25 TMC of water to TN in a normal year. In fact, Tamil Nadu does not have any right to object to the Mekedatu project as long it is ensured its quota of water every year.
Even if TN objects, Karnataka can go ahead with the project since it falls within the state. Tamil Nadu’s permission is however required in case Karnataka wants to build a dam at Hogenakkal as it flows on the border of both states.
The state also has to obtain clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Ecology as nearly 4,716 hectares of forest land will be submerged after the building of the reservoir. Without them, Karnataka cannot go ahead with the project, Mr Katarki added.
