Karnataka seeks only Cauvery share, says Mekedatu will help both states

Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday reiterated that the state was seeking only the share of Cauvery river water allocated to it and was not demanding any additional allocation from Tamil Nadu. Responding to Tamil Nadu’s renewed opposition to the proposed Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir project, Reddy argued that the initiative would benefit not only Karnataka but also farmers in the neighbouring state.

Speaking to reporters, Reddy stressed that Karnataka’s position remained consistent and based on existing water-sharing arrangements.

He said the state had no intention of claiming "even a single drop" beyond what had already been allotted to it under established mechanisms.

Referring to recent interactions with the Union Water Resources Ministry on interstate river matters, he said Karnataka was only pursuing its legitimate entitlement.

Defending the Mekedatu project, Reddy claimed that the reservoir would improve water management during periods of low rainfall.

According to him, if the dam had already been operational, Karnataka could have stored water and continued releasing supplies to Tamil Nadu even during difficult seasons.

He maintained that such storage capacity would help ensure drinking water availability while also supporting the scheduled release of water downstream, ultimately benefiting Tamil Nadu’s agricultural sector.

Reddy criticised opposition to the project, suggesting that resistance could adversely affect farmers who depend on regulated river flows. He maintained that the proposal was not intended to alter existing allocations but to improve storage and distribution efficiency.

The minister also provided an update on the project’s administrative status. He said Karnataka had already submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Mekedatu to the Cauvery Water Regulation Commission.

Certain modifications had been suggested by the authorities, and the state government was currently making those changes. Once the required approvals are obtained, Karnataka intends to proceed further with implementation.

Emphasising the nature of the proposal, Reddy clarified that Mekedatu is designed as a storage reservoir rather than an irrigation project.

He said its primary objective is to provide Bengaluru with approximately 4.75 TMC of drinking water. In addition, the project is expected to generate around 400 MW of electricity. He argued that neighbouring states should work together to find practical and cooperative solutions to shared water concerns.

On current water availability, Reddy said Karnataka’s Cauvery-linked reservoirs were under pressure due to limited storage. He stated that only around 16 TMC of water remained across the Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini reservoirs.

According to him, Karnataka had already released two TMC of water by June 18, 2026, and after meeting drinking water requirements and ensuring river flow, only about three TMC remained available.

Addressing Tamil Nadu’s recent Assembly resolution opposing Mekedatu, Reddy said earlier legal efforts against the project had not succeeded.

He claimed Tamil Nadu’s miscellaneous application filed in 2018 and a subsequent review petition were both rejected. Instead of prolonged litigation, he advocated dialogue as the preferred route for resolution, warning that court disputes over water sharing often continue for decades.

Reddy concluded by urging political unity across parties in Karnataka to secure the state’s interests and ensure its rightful share of water resources.

- Ends