Mekedatu is all about drinking water, not irrigation: Karnataka minister

Karnataka is deftly moving pieces to make the controversial Mekedatu balancing reservoir project a reality amid pending environmental approvals.

Armed with a new Detailed Project Report (DPR), the state is hopeful of securing all clearances in the next two months. The plan is to start work early next year and wrap it up in three years.

Bengaluru’s water needs

Karnataka Irrigation Minister N Chaluvaraya Swamy said groundwork is being fast-tracked, given the precarious and dwindling water situation across the state, particularly in Bengaluru.

For the record, the project, which will be the largest dam (67.17 TMC) built on the Cauvery in the state so far, is primarily meant to provide potable water for a projected population of 2 crore in and around Bengaluru. According to the new DPR, the estimated cost will exceed Rs 14,000 crore.

“The Mekedatu balancing reservoir project is a primarily drinking water project, let us be very clear. Bengaluru, whose population is currently around 1.50 crore, will receive drinking water from it in future. The project has reserved about 4.75 TMC of water to supply Bengaluru city," Chaluvaraya Swamy told The Federal.

"The water crisis will be severe this year. The project will also help supply potable water to Bengaluru South, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya and the surrounding districts. Combined, water needs are for over 2 crore people. We need to think ahead and get the project executed quicker,” he added.

More power to Bengaluru

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has already asked Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru and neighbouring districts, to brace for a huge water and power crisis after the poor rainfall/monsoon this year. According to IMD data for August, Bengaluru recorded a 54 per cent rainfall deficit.

Surveys, studies and other related works are being undertaken so that the entire process goes smooth by the time the final approval comes in.

The project also aims to generate power. A blueprint has been prepared for generating about 400 MW, which would be added to the state grid once the project is complete.

Not for irrigation

The minister added that water won’t be used for irrigation at all, one of Tamil Nadu’s biggest concerns. “Will we use water for irrigation or not—that was one of Tamil Nadu’s worrying factors. Recently, our officials made it clear to Tamil Nadu that water won’t be used for irrigation at all. They seemed convinced by the explanation,” the minister said.

The minister said Karnataka officials recently sent Tamil Nadu a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that answers questions on water flow, and that the Central Water Commission (CWC) has responded positively.

DK Shivakumar will soon meet Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and, with the cooperation of all the MPs, convince Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the project’s benefits.

How Tamil Nadu will benefit

The minister said that not just Karnataka, but Tamil Nadu will also benefit.

“About 112.88 TMC of surplus Cauvery water flowed into the sea over the last five years. We could have saved the water. The Mekedatu project is, therefore, the only permanent solution: It will benefit both states even in times of drought and store at least 22 TMC of drinking water,” he said.

One big hurdle on Karnataka’s side is getting Forest Department clearance. “We need to set aside equivalent forest land that would get submerged. Forest will be built elsewhere to compensate for the loss. I am holding regular meetings with all District Deputy Commissioners to identify land (revenue and deemed forest land) which can be set aside,” he added.

The aim is to begin work as soon as alternative land is available for the submerged area and to complete it within three years. If all goes well, he said, the work will start next August.

According to the new DPR, the estimated cost will exceed Rs 14,000 crore by the time the project is completed. “When the project was first prepared in 2019, it was estimated at Rs 4,500 crore. In 2024, the estimate rose to Rs 9,000 crore,” he said.

The site for the dam has been marked 2 km from the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, before Mekedatu. The dam will be 99 metres high and store 67.17 TMC of water, and by that yardstick will be the biggest dam on the Cauvery this side.

Chaluvaraya Swamy said he would soon meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to brief him and allay the state’s concerns about the project.

Why Mekedatu became contentious

Water expert and former irrigation secretary Captain Rajarao said the Mekedatu project is not a recent development and blamed successive Karnataka governments for the delay.

“Mekedatu is not at all a recent development. It was approved after the 1924 Cauvery Treaty, but the tribunal never settled how to use the river’s surplus water, which is why it is contentious today,” S Rajarao told The Federal.

He criticised the state for waiting for Environment Department clearance instead of using the “deemed terms of reference” provision to submit a detailed project report and move the process forward.

“Had it been done, Mekedatu would not have been the controversy that it is today. However, it looks like this new government under DK Shivakumar is acting fast, and they might make it happen finally,” he said.