Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar has renewed his invitation to Tamil Nadu government for talks on the Mekedatu project and asked Tamil Nadu to send a delegation to inspect the proposed reservoir site, saying officials who have examined the terrain have found that the project cannot be used for irrigation.
The renewed outreach follows chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s proposed visit to Bengaluru in August to discuss the Cauvery water issue and Mekedatu. That visit was deferred, with Shivakumar later offering to host Vijay for a visit to the Cauvery basin.
“The Union Minister has understood that water from the Mekedatu project will be used strictly for drinking purposes and cannot be used for irrigation. The talks covered Mekedatu, Krishna and other water disputes involving Karnataka. “Even though the Central Government allocated ₹ 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project in the 2023 budget, the funds have not been released yet.
The Tamil Nadu government should also send a delegation to inspect the project site,” he said. “A request will be made to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to meet and discuss the Mekedatu project,” Shivakumar said. The chief minister said the issue had also been discussed with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, whom he met in New Delhi. We keep asking for it, but they are not releasing it,” he said.
“Discussions were held with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil regarding Krishna, Mekedatu, and other water disputes of the state. “All those are false. The Union minister has also made efforts in this regard. Political commitment is necessary for this.
A request was made for the Centre to intervene and support the state’s irrigation projects, to which the minister responded positively,” he said. A request has been made to hold a separate meeting with the Forest Department,” he said.
