Centre to soon call meeting of K'taka, TN CMs to resolve issue over Mekedatu dam: Official

The Centre has decided to call a meeting of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu chief ministers soon to resolve the issue regarding the proposed construction of Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery river that led to stalling of Parliament proceedings last week.

The issue was discussed in detail by Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in a meeting with Union Water resources and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday here.

"In the meeting, Gadkari said he was convinced that the Mekedatu project will benefit Tamil Nadu. The minister also assured that he will direct his officials to fix a meeting of chief ministers of the two states at the earliest," an official spokesperson told reporters.

The Mahadayi water dispute between Karnataka and Goa was discussed in the meeting, but the Union minister said the matter is in court, he added.

Gadkari has said he will call the meeting of chief ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to discuss the implementation of the project, according to an official statement.

The Karnataka chief minister during the meeting brought to his notice that Tamil Nadu has raised objection against the project though it is beneficial to both states, especially for Tamil Nadu, the statement added.

He also requested Gadkari to resolve the issue by calling the meetings of the chief ministers. "Gadkari obliged to call a meeting accordingly," it said.

Kumaraswamy told PTI that "we have asked the Centre to call for a meeting with the Tamil Nadu government so that the issue can be resolved."