Karnataka CM Defends Mekedatu Project as Centre Seeks Revisions
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Centre returned the detailed project report of the Mekedatu reservoir to Karnataka for revisions, prompting Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to defend the project. The issue is significant as it involves a long-standing inter-state water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery river.
Background
The Mekedatu project is a proposed reservoir across the Cauvery river in Karnataka, intended for drinking water and power generation. It has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with Tamil Nadu opposing it fearing impact on the Cauvery delta. The project's detailed report was submitted by Karnataka in 2019.
Key facts
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the Mekedatu reservoir after the Centre returned the project's detailed report for revisions.
Shivakumar said the project would primarily serve drinking water and power needs, not irrigation.
The project aims to generate 400 MW of electricity and use 66 TMC of water for drinking water.
Shivakumar rejected reports of rejection, saying the Centre sought additional information.
The Centre's position was conveyed by Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, in a Lok Sabha reply.
The detailed project report was submitted by Karnataka in 2019.
The Centre instructed to submit a revised report complying with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and central water commission guidelines.
Tamil Nadu and farmers' organisations expressed concerns about the project's impact on the Cauvery delta.
Shivakumar said Karnataka would pursue the project within the law despite Tamil Nadu Assembly's resolution against it.
Shivakumar said the reservoir could help Karnataka meet obligations to Tamil Nadu when managing shared river water becomes difficult.
Prelims pointers
- Mekedatu project: proposed reservoir on Cauvery river in Karnataka
- Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award
- Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Lok Sabha
- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
- 400 MW power generation
- 66 TMC water for drinking
- Detailed Project Report (DPR)
- Central Water Commission
Mains angles
- Discuss the issues and challenges in inter-state water disputes in India with reference to the Cauvery river.
- Critically examine the role of the Centre in resolving inter-state water disputes.
- Analyze the federal implications of water sharing disputes between states.