DK Shivakumar Seeks PM Modi’s Nod for Mekedatu Project
Karnataka CM Pushes for Clearance of Cauvery Reservoir, Flags Key Infrastructure Demands
- DK Shivakumar urges PM Modi to expedite Mekedatu project approval.
- Karnataka cites Supreme Court rejection of Tamil Nadu’s review plea.
- CM seeks forest clearance and funding for major infrastructure projects.
- Tamil Nadu continues to oppose the proposed Cauvery reservoir.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th June: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to secure approval for the long-pending and contentious Mekedatu project, a proposal that has remained at the centre of a water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
During his meeting with the Prime Minister in New Delhi on Thursday, Shivakumar submitted a letter urging the Centre to expedite clearances for the project, which aims to create a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River in Karnataka.
In his communication, the Chief Minister referred to the Supreme Court’s rejection of Tamil Nadu’s review petition related to the project and argued that the matter now rests with the relevant central authorities.
Shivakumar stated that the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) are the competent bodies to take a decision on the proposed reservoir.
The Mekedatu project, planned in Ramanagara district, now part of Bengaluru South, is intended to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and generate 400 MW of electricity. Karnataka has consistently maintained that the project will not affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery waters.
Tamil Nadu, however, has continued to oppose the proposal, citing concerns over water availability and inter-state river sharing arrangements.
The Karnataka Chief Minister also sought the intervention of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for securing the final statutory forest clearance pending with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Last month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to the Prime Minister opposing the project and questioned why the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission were considering Karnataka’s proposal despite objections raised by Tamil Nadu.
Apart from Mekedatu, Shivakumar pressed for clearance and funding of several key infrastructure and irrigation projects in Karnataka.
The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister sought urgent support for the Upper Bhadra project, Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, Bengaluru Metro expansion, Bengaluru Suburban Rail project, Satellite Town Ring Road and pending National Highway works.
He requested the release of ₹5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project and ₹2,860 crore in pending Finance Commission grants. The Chief Minister also sought a special infrastructure package of ₹26,000 crore for Bengaluru.
Further demands included approval for Bengaluru Metro Phase-3A, revised cost estimates for Metro Phase-2, the proposed Bengaluru-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Corridor and Regional Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) corridors.
The meeting marked Shivakumar’s first interaction with Prime Minister Modi after assuming office as Karnataka Chief Minister, with infrastructure development and water projects dominating the agenda.
