Water Resources Minister D.K Shivakumar has appealed to the Centre to mediate between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on the Mekedatu project.
On Friday, the Minister, along with senior officials, visited the proposed project site, which is 1.8 km ahead of Mekedatu tourist spot. Mr. Shivakumar said political compulsions were behind Tamil Nadu opposing the project.
“Tamil Nadu is aware that the project will protect its interests as well. I have sought an appointment with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to clear any confusion over the project. I also appeal to the Tamil Nadu government to send a delegation of party leaders and senior officials to Mekedatu and clear their doubts,” Mr. Shivakumar said. He expressed surprise over a resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly against the project.
Land to be submerged
As per an estimate, 4,996 hectares would get submerged, and out of it over 4,700 hectares is forest land. The project estimate is ₹5,912 crore. The Full Reservoir Level will be 440 metres and the length 674.5 metres. The gross storage capacity will be 66.85 tmcft.
A total of 440 MW of power would be generated and water would not be used for irrigation. Out of the total project cost, ₹2,000 crore would be spent for generating power.
The Minister said: “As per the Cauvery tribunal order, the State can utilise 18 tmcft of water for drinking purpose and an additional 4.75 tmcft for Bengaluru. However, drinking water to Bengaluru need not necessarily be pumped from this location.”
Shimsha power plant
Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) is working on the possibilities of relocating power generation units at Shimsha, in case the proposed Mekedatu project poses a threat of submerging it.
V. Ponnuraj, KPTCL MD, said: “Nothing concrete can be said on whether the unit will get submerged. It will be known only after completion of the project. However, we will think of the possibility of relocating to continue power generation.” Shimsha power plant started operations in 1939.
