TN's objection to Mekedatu project politically motivated: CM

Bengaluru, May 1: Karnataka delegation has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Tamil Nadu's opposition to Mekedatu drinking water project across the river Cauvery is "politically motivated", Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

He also stressed that government's strong resolve to go ahead with the project. [Mekedatu will be beneficial to TN, Karnataka]

"I had led an all party delegation to Prime Minister yesterday on Mekedatu issue. All our central Ministers, MPs, opposition leaders had come. Mekedatu is a drinking water and power generation project."

"If we do this project we will be able to store up to 30 to 35 TMC water during rainy season and utilise it as drinking water for Bangalore rural, urban and nearby area," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking after inaugurating 'Reach-3B' of Bangalore Metro Railway line between Nagasandra and Peenya Industrial Area, he said "Our delegation met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we have told him that Tamil Nadu is unnecessarily opposing this project. There are no reasons for them to oppose it."

"Mekedatu project will in no way affect them (TN), their farmers and their crops," he added.

Siddaramaiah in his budget speech, presented on March 13, had proposed preparing a detailed project report for the construction of balancing reservoir on the upstream of Mekedatu across Cauvery River in Ramanagara district.

He added that Global Expression of Interest had been invited, and Rs.25 crore had been provided in the coming fiscal for the same.

Stating that as per tribunal's order 192 TMC water is being given to Tamil Nadu without any hindrance, Siddaramaiah said, "additional 50-60 TMC water has been flowing to them; our plan is to store additional water that is flowing into the sea by constructing balancing reservoir at Mekedatu.

"This project will have a capacity to generate 400 MW power," he said.

"Tamil Nadu is unnecessarily trying to cause hindrance to this project. I want to tell Tamil Nadu that their opposition to this project for political reasons is wrong," he said.

PTI