Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the State government was committed to implementing the proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery in Ramanagaram district for the drinking water needs of people residing in the parched districts around Bengaluru.
In a reply to the debate on the State Budget, Mr. Siddaramaiah said a fund of Rs. 25 crore has been set aside for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) on the dam.
Balancing reservoir
The project, which would act as a “balancing reservoir”, would utilise water which would otherwise flow into the sea.
He said he would convene an all-party meeting to discuss the project, and lead a delegation to Delhi to inform the Centre about the importance of the project.
On Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the project, Mr. Siddarmaiah said that the Karnataka government will face the issue “legally”.
The State has been releasing 192 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. But, Tamil Nadu has been exploiting the issue for political gains, he alleged.
Members representing the Cauvery basin urged the State government to expedite the implementation of the project.
The CM said he would convene an all-party meeting to discuss the project