Bengaluru: After a hiatus of two years the tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu regarding the Mekedatu project may surface again, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D. K. Shivakumar, has made a heartfelt appeal to the Tamil Nadu government, urging them to exhibit magnanimity and cooperation for the collective benefit of farmers from both states. Shivakumar emphasised the need for an end to the ongoing court battles and instead called for collaboration on this ambitious project.
With unwavering conviction, Shivakumar assured that the implementation of the Mekedatu project would not cause any harm to Tamil Nadu. He implored the Tamil Nadu Government to recognise the numerous advantages the project offered, including the provision of drinking water and significant benefits for farmers in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Despite the allocation of a substantial fund of Rs 1,000 crore for the project, it remained unutilised, awaiting cooperative efforts.
In a sincere effort to allay concerns, Shivakumar emphatically stated that the Mekedatu project was not intended to foster animosity or ignite conflict with Tamil Nadu. He reiterated the long-standing brotherly relationship shared by both states and underscored that the project aimed to ensure the responsible and equitable utilisation of water resources from the revered Cauvery River, rather than allowing it to flow into the ocean unutilised.
Shivakumar elucidated that the control of the Cauvery River dams rested with the central government, which would ultimately make decisions regarding water releases. He further argued that the establishment of a power-generating unit, which formed a part of the project, would not have any adverse impact on Tamil Nadu. According to him, the project’s primary objective was to store and utilise water for essential drinking purposes, assuring Tamil Nadu that there was no cause for alarm.
Responding promptly, Tamil Nadu’s Water Resources Minister, Durai Murugan, vehemently opposed Shivakumar’s assertion regarding the construction of the Mekedatu dam. Murugan declared that the Tamil Nadu Government would resolutely oppose the dam proposal at every level. Expressing astonishment, he refuted the claim made by the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, stating that Tamil Nadu had actively participated in all 15 meetings of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), as recorded in the meeting minutes.
Murugan reiterated that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) had already allocated the available water resources among the riparian states, considering various projects and even rejecting certain proposals. The Supreme Court’s final verdict on February 16, 2018, had fully endorsed the tribunal’s order. Thus, Murugan argued that Karnataka’s pursuit of constructing a large dam at Mekedatu, which was not mentioned in the Supreme Court’s final verdict, blatantly violated the highest court’s ruling. He emphasised the importance of adhering to the Constitution, upholding federal principles, and honouring the judgment of the Supreme Court, deeming any disregard for these principles as unlawful.
Furthermore, water resources experts in the Tamil Nadu ministry echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that, according to the Supreme Court’s ruling, no state could claim exclusive rights over the waters of an interstate river. Murugan pointed out that Karnataka had already established its water resources to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru city. However, he expressed concern that under the guise of providing 4.75 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of drinking water, Karnataka was attempting to construct a dam with a capacity of 67.6 TMC, thereby raising serious apprehensions.
As tensions continued to escalate, the fate of the Mekedatu project and the delicate relationship between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remained uncertain. Both sides seemed resolute in protecting their respective interests, leaving the resolution of this contentious issue hanging precariously.