Karnataka Moves Ahead With Mekedatu Reservoir, 2,500 Acres Identified for Land Swap

Karnataka has identified 2,500 acres of alternative land, including forest land, to facilitate the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery river, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Saturday. The state government is working to identify the remaining land and secure the necessary clearances to advance the long-pending project.

The Mekedatu project is a proposed 66 TMC reservoir near the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border. Karnataka says it will help meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs and regulate water releases, while Tamil Nadu opposes it over concerns that the reservoir could affect its share of Cauvery water.

Speaking to reporters in Mandya on October 31, Shivakumar said the identified land would be provided to the Forest Department in exchange for the land required for the reservoir in Kanakapura taluk of Bengaluru South district. A committee headed by the Mandya Deputy Commissioner has been formed to oversee the process, and officials have already held discussions on the proposed land swap.

Once completed, the reservoir will have a storage capacity of 66 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water. Shivakumar said the project would help Karnataka regulate water releases during difficult periods and benefit farmers in Mandya and other parts of the Cauvery basin, including areas dependent on the Hemavathi river.

He pointed out that Karnataka is required to release 177 TMC of water downstream and said the reservoir would provide greater flexibility in managing releases instead of repeatedly depending on directions about the quantity and timing of water discharge.

The state government will upload details of the alternative land on the forest clearance portal to obtain the necessary permissions. Shivakumar said only around 500 acres of farmers' land would be acquired for the project and that the acquisition process would begin.

He added that he had discussed the project with the concerned Union Minister and would seek the support of BJP leaders to move it forward. The government hopes to make progress by the next state Budget.

Meanwhile, rejecting JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's allegation that the government was not providing land for the proposed Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) testing facility in Mandya, Shivakumar said Karnataka was ready to provide the required land, even if fresh acquisition became necessary.