Chennai, 22 May

Tamil Nadu leaders on Friday slammed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s recent comments on the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir project.

Shivakumar, who also holds the Irrigation portfolio, claimed on Thursday that “the Supreme Court has ruled that Tamil Nadu has no right to object to the Mekedatu project and that the Central Water Commission must take a decision on it.”

However, former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami noted that the Cauvery river water is a lifeline for farmers on the Cauvery Delta districts in Tamil Nadu, and also the drinking water source for people in 20 districts.  Separately, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss noted that the dam could impact 5 crore people.

"The Karnataka Congress government is acting in a way that undermines Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery, and the Tamil Nadu government is standing by idly,” he said in a statement. "If a dam is built across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu, the Delta districts will turn into a desert. Where does the Karnataka Congress government get the authority to talk about all the way up to the ground-breaking ceremony for Mekedatu," he asked.

Shivakumar, who has long sought to build the dam near Ramanagara, Chamarajanagar districts near Kanakapura, has repeatedly asserted that the dam was essential for Bengaluru’s drinking water needs and would not adversely impact Tamil Nadu. On Thursday, he said that the Detailed Project Report was (DPR) ready, a “bhoomi pooja” will be taken after the Centre’s nod, and steps are being taken to identify land alternative forest land for compensation, as hundreds of hectares will be submerged.

However, Tamil Nadu has opposed the project from its inception, Palaniswami noted, demanding that the new Tamil Nadu government under TVK’s Vijay takes a firm stance on the issue.

Similarly, AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran described Shivakumar’s comments as “arrogant”.

He noted that the Supreme Court ruled that constructing a dam across the Cauvery requires the consent of the affected states. However, despite repeated directions from the Cauvery Management Authority to ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its rightful share of water, the Karnataka government is acting unilaterally.  He too demanded that the TVK takes a firm stance.

On the other hand, Ramadoss on Friday urged the Centre not to accept the DPR. “The Tamil Nadu government should press the central government to revoke the 2018 permission that allowed preparation of the draft project report. It is a blatant lie for Shivakumar to claim that the SC has ruled that Tamil Nadu has no right to oppose the Mekedatu dam," he said.