Advise Karnataka not to proceed with illegal reservoir: TN CM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise the Karnataka government against construction of an illegal reservoir at Mekedatu.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, he said: "I request your personal intervention in the matter and urge you once again to advise the government of Karnataka not to proceed with their illegal plan of construction of reservoir at Mekedatu, in the guise of supplying drinking water, in utter disregard of the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal."

Panneerselvam also requested Modi to advise Karnataka not to embark upon any project without the consent of Tamil Nadu as well as the concurrence of the Cauvery Management Board.

According to Panneerselvam, the unilateral action of Karnataka to proceed with new irrigation, hydro power projects, lift irrigation projects and construction of check dams in the guise of drinking water supply would amount to gross violation of the notified final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

The proposed projects would also severely affect the flow of water to Tamil Nadu, he added.