Tamil Nadu Resolution On Mekedatu Illegal, Karnataka Will Go Ahead With Project: CM Basavaraj Bommai

Mekedatu Dam Project: CM Bommai called the choice of Tamil Nadu to go against the venture as political and blamed that State for not having confidence in the government framework.

Chief Minister of the Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai (File photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that his government was committed to implementing the Mekedatu project across Cauvery.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday unanimously endorsed a resolution proposed by Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan condemning the Karnataka government over the Mekedatu dam issue. The assembly also urged the central government not to give any technology, environmental, or other approval to the project.

In a series of tweets, CM Bommai called the choice of Tamil Nadu to go against the venture as political and blamed that State for not having confidence in the government framework.

"The resolution adopted today in the Tamil Nadu Assembly against the Mekedatu project is illegal. This is an anti-people resolution wherein a State is trying to infringe upon the rights of another. This resolution shows that Tamil Nadu doesn't believe in a federal system," Bommai tweeted.

Stating that the people and the government of Karnataka condemn the resolution, he said, "We are firm on our decision to implement the Mekedatu project across river Cauvery that takes birth in our State."

"Karnataka has the right over the remaining water after giving Tamil Nadu 177.25 tmc as per the Cauvery tribunal order. The government is taking necessary steps to take up the Mekedatu project irrespective of the political decision of Tamil Nadu," he said.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly today adopted a unanimous resolution censuring the Karnataka government for its one-sided choice to continue with the Mekedatu project and influence the Center to dismiss the proposition.

Karnataka's DPR of the project is before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), additionally the matter is before the Environment Ministry for clearance.

The State budget, presented by CM recently, provided a grant of Rs 1,000 crore this year for the execution of the project.

The Mekedatu multi-purpose (drinking and power) project includes building a balancing reservoir close to Kanakapura in Ramanagara district.

The assessed Rs 9,000-crore project once finished is pointed toward guaranteeing drinking water to Bengaluru and adjoining regions (4.75 TMC) and it can likewise produce 400 MW of power.

Karnataka has kept up with that the project within its territory would help the two States as the excess water put away can be managed between the two during seasons of distress, and its execution would not affect the interests of the farming communities in Tamil Nadu, as there would be no effect on its portion of water.

Yet, the adjoining State is of the view that the undertaking would seize and redirect the uncontrolled water stream because of Tamil Nadu from Kabini sub-basin, the catchment region beneath Krishnarajasagara, and furthermore from Simsha, Arkavathy and Suvarnavathi sub-basins other than other small streams.

(With PTI inputs)