Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar urges Union stance on Mekedatu project in SC, seeks talks with Andhra CM on Tungabhadra reservoir issues.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, holding the Water Resources Ministry, said he urged the Union Minister for Jal Shakthi “To the stance of the Union clear on the Mekedatu project to the Supreme Court.” (Image:DC)
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, holding the Water Resources Ministry, said he urged the Union Minister for Jal Shakthi “To the stance of the Union clear on the Mekedatu project to the Supreme Court.”
The Karnataka government proposed the Mekedatu project for the construction of a balancing reservoir across River Cauvery in Ramnagar district to store water and supply it to Bengaluru city and adjoining areas. But, the project met with opposition from Tamil Nadu sharing water with Karnataka.
Shivakumar said “The Tamil Nadu government has some concerns that the Mekedatu project would harm their interest” and he stated the project is of mutual benefit to both the States. He pointed out surplus water of about 300 tmc feet released to Tamil Nadu by Karnataka flowed to the Bay of Bengal the previous year and earlier another 400 tmc feet of water went unutilized by Tamil Nadu.
Apart from the Mekedatu project facing opposition from Tamil Nadu, he said, even Pennar River has met with dispute and wanted doors opened for discussions to resolve the Pennar River dispute.
Shivakumar said he sought a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to discuss on the construction of a balancing reservoir at Navali since Tungabhadra reservoir is filled with silt and it is estimated that the silt accumulation to be about 25 tmc feet.
The meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is expected to be fixed in March first week.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar stated water storage in reservoirs across the State has been at “satisfactory” level and told the people not to bother about drinking water during summer.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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