The State government has requested the Centre’s intervention in resolving the Mekedatu issue amicably by convening a meeting of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar said here on Friday.
He said the detailed project report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project would be ready by next week.
He told reporters that Karnataka was ready to speak to Tamil Nadu. “I will request for time [from the Tamil Nadu government] so that we can go there and brief them about the project. We have also requested the Central Minister [Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari) to convene a meeting of representatives of both the States].”
Mr. Shivakumar said, “I will humbly appeal to Tamil Nadu that there is no need to fight over the issue. After the DPR is completed, Tamil Nadu can see it. There will be no big gain for Karnataka. It will benefit Tamil Nadu more. When there is excess rainfall, this project will prevent water from flowing into the sea.” He said there was no need to politicise the issue, and added that the State would follow the Cauvery tribunal order and that the Mekedatu project was being implemented with the State’s money.
The Minister said the rights of Karnataka as well as the rights of Tamil Nadu farmers would be protected.
Meanwhile, sources in Cauvery Neeravari Nigam said the process of preparing the DPR was initiated after the nigam received the Central Water Commission communiqué.
Two meetings
The Chief Minister has called a meeting on December 6 to discuss coefficient water management and inter-State river water disputes involving the Krishna, the Mahadayi, and other basins for which former Chief Ministers and Water Resources Ministers have been called.
This apart, a meeting of all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from the State has been convened on December 4 to discuss pending proposals of the State with various Union Ministries, acute drought situation in the State, and other important issues.
