States » SouthPosted at: Nov 14 2026 3:29PM


Karnataka will build Mekedatu dam while protecting TN's share: Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Nov 14 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday struck a firm note on the contentious Mekedatu project, asserting that Karnataka would exercise its right to build the proposed Cauvery reservoir while honouring Tamil Nadu's allocated share of 177 TMC of water.
In a direct response to Tamil Nadu's opposition, Shivakumar said Karnataka would not abandon the project and would pursue it in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions, securing the necessary forest and environmental clearances from the Centre.
He also challenged the neighbouring state to understand the project on the ground rather than oppose it, inviting the Tamil Nadu government to send an all-party or official delegation to Karnataka.
"Let them come with a delegation. I will show them and explain how this project will benefit them," he told reporters here.
Seeking to address Tamil Nadu's concerns over the interests of its farmers, Shivakumar maintained that Karnataka had both an obligation to protect the state's water entitlement and a legitimate right to develop the reservoir for its own requirements.
"It is our duty to protect their right. At the same time, it is our right to build the dam and provide them with water," he said.
The Mekedatu balancing reservoir, proposed across the Cauvery river, has remained a major flashpoint between the two neighbouring states.
Karnataka argues that the project is essential to meet Bengaluru's drinking water requirements and regulate water availability, while Tamil Nadu fears that the reservoir could affect water flows to its farmers.
Shivakumar said there was political unanimity in Karnataka on taking the project forward, adding that he was submitting the required documents to the concerned Central ministries to obtain clearances. He also said he had urged the Centre to reject the Kasturirangan report.
The Chief Minister's remarks come amid renewed exchanges between the two states over the project, with Tamil Nadu reiterating its opposition and Karnataka maintaining that the reservoir would not compromise its downstream water commitments.
Signalling that the Cauvery dispute should not hold back broader development cooperation, Shivakumar said political competition between states should not come in the way of infrastructure and economic progress.
"In politics, we will compete; in development, we will cooperate," he said.
Referring to his recent interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shivakumar said he had also raised Karnataka's infrastructure demands, including equal funding by the Centre and state for Metro Rail projects, constitution of a technical committee, expediting pending Metro projects and extending the Pink Line.
He sought additional flyovers and double-decker structures in Bengaluru, arguing that the city's road infrastructure was inadequate. Only about eight per cent of Bengaluru's geographical area was covered by roads, compared with 18-20 per cent in other places, he said.
Pointing to land acquisition costs of around Rs 50,000 per square foot, he said the state was prepared to share the expenditure on double-decker structures. Modi had agreed to the proposal to bring an all-party delegation to discuss Karnataka's infrastructure requirements, he added.
UNI BDN
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