Mekedatu plan will be scrutinised as per CWDT orders: Centre

Karnataka government’s proposal for a dam across River Cauvery in Mekedatu will be examined by the Union government as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal orders, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati has said.

“DPR (detailed project report) of project at Mekedatu as and when received will be examined as per Clause-XIII of Final order February 5, 2007 of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT),” she told PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss in a letter, copies of which were released to the media here.

Clause XIII says that “whenever any hydro power project is constructed and Cauvery waters are stored in the reservoir, the pattern of downstream releases should be consistent with our order so that the irrigation requirements are not jeopardised.”

Citing Anbumani’s letters to her on the Cauvery issue and referring to him raising the issue in Lok Sabha, the minister said she examined the issue.

The PMK MP had raised the issue of constitution of Cauvery Management Board and proposed construction of a dam across River Cauvery at Mekedatu in Karnataka.

“I would like to inform you that the DPR of only one project, namely Shivasamudram Run of the River Power Project, was received in Central Water Commission from Karnataka Power Corporation Limited during February 2014,” she said.

But the DPR was returned to Karnataka, directing it to get comments of basin states, especially Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, to enable its examination from the inter-state angle, she said.

“DPR of no other project, except the above, has been received by CWC, she said, adding, “Karnataka has clarified that they have no plans to proceed with the construction of projects without first informing the Supreme Court.” On constitution of Cauvery Management Board, she said Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have taken different stands on it.

“Therefore, in pursuance to directions of the Supreme Court, a pro tem committee with Secretary (Water Resources) as chairman and chief secretaries of concerned states and chairman CWC as members, has been constituted for implementation of CWDT orders. I hope this clarifies the position,” she said.

Karnataka has maintained that Tamil Nadu’s opposition to Mekedatu drinking water project is “politically motivated” and that they would go ahead with it.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah had said the drinking water and power generation project would enable the state to store 30 to 35 tmc water during rainy season and utilise it as drinking water for Bengaluru rural, urban and nearby areas.

Ever since Karnataka announced the plan, farmers in Tamil Nadu have gone on protests.

On March 7, farmers of delta districts tried to cross over to Mekedatu site from Denkanikottai in Tamil Nadu, but were thwarted by police.

On March 28, a bandh supported by opposition parties was held in the state, which evoked a mixed response.