Bengaluru
Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s rejection of Tamil Nadu’s plea against Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar described the verdict as “justice flowing from the seat of justice” and said Karnataka was only seeking its rightful share of Cauvery water. He assured that the project would be built entirely within Karnataka, using state funds, and emphasized that Tamil Nadu would also benefit, especially during periods of deficient rainfall. “We will build it in our area and with our funds. It is a balancing reservoir,” he said.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice B R Gavai, termed Tamil Nadu’s plea “premature” and clarified that final approval would consider objections from both states and the opinions of expert bodies—the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
The Mekedatu project, located near the deep gorge of Mekedatu, where the Arkavathi River joins the Cauvery on the border of Ramanagara and Chamarajanagar districts, is designed to supply drinking water to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region and generate hydroelectric power. Officials estimate the reservoir will utilise 4.75 TMC ft of water to meet the city’s growing needs while generating approximately 400 MW of electricity annually.
Shivakumar called the verdict a “victory for Bengalureans,” noting that it would benefit residents of Karnataka’s capital, surrounding areas, and even Tamil Nadu, ensuring they receive their fair share of Cauvery water without affecting the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam.
The estimated cost of the project ranges from Rs 9,000 crore to Rs 14,000 crore. Shivakumar appealed to Tamil Nadu to accept the ruling in a spirit of cooperation, saying, “Let us work together. They have to give us justice.”
The state government is now set to move ahead with construction, aiming to secure Bengaluru’s water needs while balancing regional water requirements.