Shivakumar Assures Tamil Nadu, Puducherry of Water Interests in Mekedatu Project

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the interests of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would be protected in connection with the proposed Mekedatu dam, amid longstanding disagreements over the sharing of Cauvery river waters.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of southern chief ministers, Shivakumar said he had given an assurance in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah that Karnataka would safeguard the interests of the neighbouring states. He also called for a separate meeting involving the concerned states to find an amicable solution to water-sharing disputes.

Shivakumar said Karnataka’s requirement from the proposed Mekedatu reservoir would be limited to drinking-water purposes. According to him, only 5 TMC of water from the storage would be used to meet drinking-water needs, while the remaining water would be available for Tamil Nadu.

“The dam will be built only for you, not us,” Shivakumar said, addressing Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, underlining his argument that the project would not adversely affect their water interests.

The Mekedatu project has remained a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka has maintained that the proposed reservoir near the state’s border with Tamil Nadu is primarily intended to meet Bengaluru’s drinking-water requirements and generate hydropower. Tamil Nadu, however, has consistently opposed the project, expressing concerns over its potential impact on the state’s share of Cauvery waters.

The proposed dam is expected to have a storage capacity of around 67.16 TMC and has been a major point of dispute between the two states. Karnataka has argued that the reservoir would help regulate water releases and meet drinking-water needs, while Tamil Nadu has sought safeguards to ensure that its Cauvery water allocation is not affected.

Shivakumar’s latest remarks come as the Centre and southern states continue discussions on resolving inter-state water disputes through dialogue and cooperation.