Karnataka's Mekedatu Project Hits Roadblock: CWC Returns Report, Flags Revisions

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has returned Karnataka's Mekedatu project report, citing the need for revisions in the revised plan. This move is likely to delay the project, which has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Mekedatu project, which aims to construct a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river, has been a point of dispute between the two states, with Tamil Nadu opposing the project citing concerns over water sharing.

The CWC's decision to return the report is a significant setback for Karnataka, which has been pushing for the project's implementation. The state government has been arguing that the project is necessary to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru city and surrounding areas. However, Tamil Nadu has been opposing the project, claiming that it would affect the water supply to its farmers and would violate the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's award.

The Cauvery river has been a source of dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for decades. The river flows through both states, and the water sharing agreement has been a contentious issue. The Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's award in 2007 had allocated 404 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water to Tamil Nadu, while Karnataka was allocated 270 tmcft. However, Karnataka has been arguing that the allocation is not sufficient to meet the state's needs, and has been pushing for a revision of the award.

The Mekedatu project is a critical component of Karnataka's plan to increase its water storage capacity. The project involves the construction of a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river, which would help to regulate the water flow and prevent flooding in the downstream areas. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 9,000 crore and would have a storage capacity of 67 tmcft.

The CWC's decision to return the report is likely to escalate tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The two states have been engaged in a bitter dispute over the Cauvery river water sharing, and the Mekedatu project has been a major point of contention. The project's fate is now uncertain, and it remains to be seen how the two states will resolve their differences and move forward with the project.

In the meantime, the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu continue to suffer due to the lack of a permanent solution to the water sharing dispute. The Cauvery river is a lifeline for millions of people in both states, and the dispute has been affecting the livelihoods of farmers, fishermen, and other communities dependent on the river. It is essential that the two states work together to find a solution that is fair and equitable to both parties.