Ready to discuss Mekedatu project implementation with Tamil Nadu: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said his government was ready to discuss with Tamil Nadu regarding implementation of Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, but the neighbouring state was not coming forward despite it not “causing any problem to them”.
If the Centre gives necessary permissions, the state is ready to implement the project, he said.
Siddaramaiah along with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, several Ministers and officials today offered ‘bagina’ (traditional thanksgiving) to river Cauvery at Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam in Srirangapatna taluk in Mandya district.
It is customary to offer a ‘bagina’ to the rivers in the state, when the dams are filled to their maximum capacity.
“We are ready to discuss. Despite Mekedatu not causing any problem to them (Tamil Nadu), they are not ready to discuss. If the central government gives permission we are ready to construct the Mekedatu reservoir,” Siddaramaiah said.
He was responding to a question on whether he will hold discussions with Tamil Nadu or the Centre for a “concrete programme” as a lot of water is flowing into the sea, with Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu expected to fill up in a couple of days.
Later speaking at an event, Siddaramaiah said: “Mekedatu is our right, the reservoir will be constructed in the state…Tamil Nadu is unnecessarily creating a dispute ” During the normal year when there are good rains and KRS and other dams in the Cauvery river basin region are filled, 177.25 tmcft of water has to be released by the state, he said.