Karnataka Firm On Mekedatu Project.

As tempers rise in Tamil Nadu against the Mekedatu reservior project and calls for a shutdown on March 28 intensify, the Karnataka government is getting ready to blunt the objections raised by the riparan state.

The Tamil Nadu coordination committee of All Farmers Association that has called for the bundh has said five crore people would be denied drinking water if Karnataka builds a dam across the Cauvery.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene by advising Karnataka not to build the dam.

The state has also demanded that the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority be set up.

Karnataka, anticipating opposition from Tamil Nadu, has already released 216 tmc ft as against the required 186 tmc ft till March 23, 2015. The Cauvery Tribunal, in its final award, has directed Karnataka to ensure that the riparian state gets 192 tmc ft in a normal year.

Sources in the legal department have come out with details to defend the project, and want to allay Tamil Nadu's apprehension over the construction of a regulatory reservoir to utilise the surplus water to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and insist that it would not be at the cost of Tamil Nadu.

The Cauvery Niravari Nigam that has called for an expression of interest to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) has listed five international firms to start the project.

Water Resources Minister M B Patil said Tamil Nadu cannot stop Karnataka from preparing a DPR on the project. 'We have every right to prepare a DPR and go ahead with the project to meet the drinking water needs of the people,' he said.

However, he said they would stand by the tribunal award and ensure that Tamil Nadu gets its share of 192 tmc ft of water. 'Why should they be anguished or skeptical over Karnataka projects and create tension when we have respected the tribunal award all these years?' he asked. He said Karnataka wanted to utilise the surplus water and that the government would give further details when the project report is finalised.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS