Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday, March 5, said the Union government is ready to facilitate talks between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river. The minister was in Bengaluru for the southern states' conclave on the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' and 'Swachh Bharat Mission' (Rural) Projects.
"We are in the process of doing that...I can't assure you how long it will take as consensus has to be built," Shekhawat said in response to a question whether the Union government would make the two states sit together regarding Mekedatu. "By sitting together, any sort of problem can be addressed. I wish all stakeholder states can sit together and address the issue so that this year onward the new Mekedatu project can see the light of day,” he said.
Citing Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh as an example for resolving water disputes through talks, the minister said both states have agreed on providing water to the fields of water-parched Bundelkhand area and linkage of the Ken-Betwa rivers. Hoping that the Mekedatu project is implemented, he did not want to talk much on the matter, as it is sub-judice.
Expressing his government's commitment to the Mekedatu project by getting required clearances from the appropriate authority of the Union government, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the Budget presented by him on Friday, has provided a grant of Rs 1,000 crore in the current year for implementation of the project.
The Mekedatu multi-purpose (drinking and power) project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu is opposed to the project, while Karnataka awaits central clearances. The estimated Rs 9,000 crore project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and it can also generate 400 MW power.
Karnataka has maintained that the project within its territory will benefit both states as the surplus water stored can be managed between the two during a distress year, and its implementation will in no way affect the interests of Tamil Nadu's farming communities, as there will be no impact on its share of water.
However, the neighbouring state is of the view that the project would impound and divert" the uncontrolled water flow due to Tamil Nadu from Kabini sub-basin, the catchment area below Krishnarajasagara, and also from Simsha, Arkavathy and Suvarnavathi sub-basins besides other small streams. Congress in Karnataka had recently held a padayatra' (foot march), demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project at the earliest, stating that it is a drinking water project with no legal hurdles.
Blaming Congress for inter-state water disputes, Shekhawat said they have no moral right to question the BJP, which can only resolve such issues, including Mekedatu. However, he pointed out that water is a state subject and states have to come together and solve issues. "....technically, we can and are ready to facilitate states by making them sit together.