TN All-Party Delegation Meets Union Jal Shakti Minister On Mekedatu Dam Issue

Earlier, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswamy asserted that they also oppose the decision of Karnataka about building a dam across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu

Chennai: All-party delegation from Tamil Nadu met Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday to discuss about the water war between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as the BS Yeddiyurappa government is getting ready to build a dam across the Cauvery river at Karnataka's Mekedatu.

On Thursday, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswamy asserted that they also oppose the decision of Karnataka about the Mekedatu dam. Earlier the newly-appointed BJP chief K Annamalai also supported the Tamil Nadu government in opposing the Mekedatu Dam project.

After having a meeting with the Union Minister for 45 minutes, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said the Jal Shakti Minister had said that there was no possibility of building the Karnataka Mekedatu Dam.

Speaking to reporters post-meeting, the TN resources minister said, "We put forth our stand strongly & urged Centre not to help Karnataka with Mekedatu issue. We also took up DPR (detailed project report) issue & stressed that riparian states' consent is necessary."

There has long been an issue of Cauvery water sharing between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Government of Karnataka has been taking active steps to build a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery River. The Tamil Nadu government has strongly opposed the move by the Yeddiyrappa's government. According to the Supreme Court ruling, no construction work should be carried out in Mekedatu without the prior permission of the subordinate states of Cauvery.