Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made one thing crystal clear on Friday: no amount of opposition from Tamil Nadu is going to derail the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project.
Speaking to reporters in Chamarajanagar, Shivakumar — who also holds the Water Resources portfolio — said the state has already prepared its Detailed Project Report (DPR) and is on the verge of submitting it to the Central government for approval. A dedicated office has even been set up for this long-awaited Cauvery river project.
“The ground-breaking ceremony will happen once we get the green light from the Central Water Commission,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court itself has made clear that it is the CWC — not Tamil Nadu’s objections — that has the final say.
On the thorny issue of forest land, Shivakumar assured that Karnataka is actively identifying alternative plots for replanting trees to compensate for any forest area that gets submerged under the reservoir.
The heart of the matter, he stressed, is Bengaluru’s drinking water crisis. The city is growing at a breakneck pace and needs a reliable, long-term water source. The Mekedatu project, he said, is that answer — and Karnataka has promised that Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water, fixed at 177 TMC per year by the tribunal, will remain untouched.
That said, Shivakumar left a small door open — if rainfall is significantly below normal and drinking water or farmers’ needs are under stress, the government would consult experts before making any releases.
The Mekedatu project, planned near Kanakapura on the Cauvery, has been a political flashpoint for years. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed it, worried about reduced water flow downstream. But Karnataka insists the project will only store surplus water and will actually generate around 400 MW of electricity as a bonus.
With the DPR revised in line with Supreme Court observations and the paperwork nearly ready, Shivakumar’s message was straightforward: this project is moving forward.