Work on dam across Cauvery in Mekedaatu soon, says Patil

Bengaluru: Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil said his government will begin construction of a dam across River Cauvery at Mekedaatu on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border to provide drinking water to nearly two thirds of Bengaluru city.

Releasing a book on the achievements of his ministry here on Thursday, Mr Patil said the draft of the Detailed Project Report of the Mekedaatu project was ready and it would be placed before the State Cabinet soon.

According to the draft, the total estimate of the project was around Rs 5,900 crore and there was no dearth of funds to take up this project since Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), one of the stakeholders, would also give its share of money for this project.

The State proposes to build one dam with a capacity of 67 tmc ft of water as against 45 tmc ft of the Krishna Raja Sagar Reservoir. Asked about the strong opposition of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa to this project, Mr Patil said the project report would be placed before the Supreme Court, Central Water Commission (CWC) and Ministry of Environment and Sciences for their perusal.

The Tamil Nadu government need not worry about this project as it would be constructed to provide water to 60-70 per cent of  Bengaluru city. By taking up this project, the quantum of water allocated to Tamil Nadu in the final report of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal would not be affected. 

The minister said his department would need Rs 1 lakh crore to complete all irrigation projects in next five years. He said  8,900 acres of land in 20 villages were likely to be submerged once the height of the Almatti Dam was increased.

Mr Patil said it was an uphill task to take up desilting of 60-year Tungabhadra Dam in Hospet due to the huge cost. According to an estimate, Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore was required for this work besides 60,000 acres of land to dump the silt.