Asserting that the Congress government was committed towards constructing a reservoir across Cauvery River in Mekedatu, Minister for Water Resources M.B. Patil has said the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) was under way.
Speaking to The Hindu here on Sunday, he said the DRP would be ready within a few months, which would give clear details on the quantum of the water to be used, the funds required and other details of the project.
“The government has taken a step forward and there is no going back. The process has already started,” Mr. Patil said.
Replying to BJP State general secretary C.T. Ravi’s statement that the State government had not submitted the report to the Centre on the project, Mr. Patil said the State was still in the process on preparing it.
“The government is in the early stage of the project. The Union government would be officially apprised of the project only after the completion of the DPR,” he said.
Asked whether the objection raised by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, would create legal hurdles in the implementation of the long-pending project, Mr. Patil said the government would face any legal hurdle as and when it surfaces.
Mr. Patil, on Saturday, had said that fearing Ms. Jayalalithaa, many veteran political leaders, including former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, had not shown the courage to implement the Mekedatu project.
