Karnataka pushes Mekedatu project, seeks faster technical clearance

Karnataka's water resources minister met the Central Water Commission chief to push the Mekedatu project. The move underscores Bengaluru's rising water needs even as Tamil Nadu maintains its opposition.Karnataka maintains that the Mekedatu project within its territory will also benefit Tamil Nadu. (File photo)Karnataka has stepped up efforts to move the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project on the Cauvery forward, with Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayswamy holding a high-level meeting with Central Water Commission chairman Anupam Prasad in Delhi on Wednesday.The talks centred on the statutory and technical approvals needed for the project and Karnataka's compliance report submitted in response to issues earlier raised by the CWC on the detailed project report.The minister asked the CWC to ensure a timely examination of the project and provide the technical cooperation needed for it to progress, according to a release from his office. He also told the Commission that the Water Resources Department would quickly provide any further technical information or clarifications sought during the process.The discussions come after a recent site inspection of the Mekedatu project by CWC member Yogesh Paitankar. During the meeting, the Karnataka delegation shared details of ground conditions at the proposed site and discussed the technical issues arising from the inspection. Chaluvarayswamy said the project was becoming increasingly important for Bengaluru's long-term drinking water needs amid rising demand, rainfall variability and periods of water stress.The proposed balancing reservoir is planned to support the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and neighbouring districts, help hydropower generation, and improve the management and regulated release of water downstream. He also highlighted the project's potential role in years of deficient rainfall, saying better storage and regulation would strengthen water management while allowing regulated downstream releases in line with applicable requirements.The Karnataka government reiterated its commitment to taking the project forward and asked the CWC to complete the ongoing technical examination at the earliest, in keeping with established procedures, the release said.The delegation included Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, Water Resources Department Secretary Krishnamurthy Kulkarni and other officials.The release described the meeting as another step in Karnataka's efforts to secure technical clearances for the Mekedatu project, a multi-purpose proposal for drinking water and power near Kanakapura in Bengaluru South district. Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, saying it fears the state would be affected if it is built.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 2, 2026 15:22 IST