Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday (November 14) asserted that Karnataka will go ahead with the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, describing it as the State’s right and duty, while assuring that Tamil Nadu would receive its stipulated share of Cauvery water.
Responding to opposition to the project from leaders in Tamil Nadu, including State Congress president Manickam Tagore, Mr. Shivakumar said the neighbouring State should send a delegation to Karnataka to understand the project’s benefits rather than oppose it.
“Anyone is free to oppose it, but Tamil Nadu must recognise that this is our State and our right. If they wish, let them send a delegation. I am prepared to take them to the dam site and explain the project,” he told presspersons.
Will honour Tamil Nadu’s entitlement
He said Karnataka would respect Tamil Nadu’s entitlement of 177 tmcft of Cauvery water as stipulated by the Supreme Court. “We will build the dam and ensure that they receive their share. Protecting Karnataka’s water rights while ensuring that Tamil Nadu gets its due share is our responsibility. We will not back down when it comes to safeguarding the interests of our State,” he said.
Describing the opposition to the project as politically motivated, he said the issue should be viewed in the context of the law and the Supreme Court’s directions rather than political rivalry.
“This is not a political matter. Everyone must respect the law of the land and abide by the Supreme Court’s order. Receiving 177 tmcft of water is Tamil Nadu’s right, and we will honour it,” he said.
Mr. Shivakumar said the State had sought the necessary forest and environmental clearances from the Centre and was preparing the required documents. All political parties in Karnataka had supported the project, he said, pointing out that the government was ready to take it forward once the clearances were obtained. The Centre’s requirement to provide compensatory land for the forest area that would be submerged was among the issues to be addressed.
Centre’s support for infrastructure projects
In his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to Karnataka on Friday (November 13), Mr. Shivakumar said political differences should not come in the way of development.
“Let us compete in politics, but cooperate on development. Securing the Centre’s support for the State’s growth is our responsibility,” he said.
He said he had also urged the Centre to reject the Kasturirangan report and sought equal participation by the Centre and the State in funding Bengaluru metro projects. He had proposed the formation of a technical committee to oversee the projects and sought faster clearances for pending proposals. The State aimed to expand the metro network to 500 km in future phases, he said.
Farmers’ power subsidy burden
On the pending power dues raised during the Suvarna Soudha session, Mr. Shivakumar said the government’s subsidy burden towards electricity supplied to farmers’ irrigation pumpsets had increased from about ₹20,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore.
He attributed the increase to higher power consumption during drought conditions and the use of lift irrigation schemes to fill tanks, among other factors. The government would address the issue and resolve the pending matters, he said.
Convincing Centre on double-decker flyover
On the proposed double-decker flyover project in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said he had explained to the Prime Minister why Central support was necessary. He said he had persuaded the Prime Minister that the Centre and the State should share the financial burden of the project. The Prime Minister had agreed to a proposal for an all-party delegation to discuss the issue, he added.
The Chief Minister said the Centre had initially raised objections to the project, but he and Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda had highlighted Bengaluru’s infrastructure constraints and the high cost of land acquisition.
“Roads account for only 8% of Bengaluru’s area, compared with 18% to 20% in other major cities. Land acquisition here costs nearly ₹50,000 per square foot, which the State government cannot bear alone,” he said.
Published – November 14, 2026 03:46 pm IST
