Karnataka CM Meets Jal Shakti Minister, Seeks Mekedatu and Water Project Approvals

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil in New Delhi and pressed for expedited clearances for the long-pending Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, along with several other water resource initiatives critical to the state’s irrigation and drinking water needs. The meeting comes as the newly appointed Chief Minister intensifies efforts to secure central approvals for key infrastructure projects.

During the meeting, Shivakumar underscored Karnataka’s agricultural priorities and stressed the importance of strengthening irrigation systems to support farmers’ incomes and improve water availability. He highlighted that Karnataka has the second-largest dryland area in India after Rajasthan, arguing that timely implementation of water projects is essential to transforming agriculture in drought-prone regions of the state.

A major focus of the discussion was the Mekedatu project, which has been under consideration for several years amid inter-state water-sharing disputes. Shivakumar urged the Centre to facilitate swift clearance, noting that the Supreme Court had dismissed Tamil Nadu’s objections and review petition, leaving the matter for consideration by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC). The project is seen by Karnataka as crucial for balancing water supply and meeting future demand in Bengaluru and surrounding regions.

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The Chief Minister also sought the formal notification of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) award, which has remained pending for over a decade. He said the delay has hampered Karnataka’s ability to fully implement the Upper Krishna Project Stage-III and utilise its allocated share of river water. Additionally, he raised concerns over the delayed release of ₹5,300 crore in central assistance for the Upper Bhadra Project, which is aimed at supporting drought-hit areas of central Karnataka.

Shivakumar further requested forest and wildlife clearances for the Kalasa and Bandura Nala projects in the Mahadayi basin, which are intended to supply drinking water to Hubballi-Dharwad. He noted that while preliminary approvals from the Ministry of Jal Shakti had been granted in 2022, environmental clearances remain pending. He also urged approval for proposals under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP).

Later in the day, Shivakumar also met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah as part of his engagements in the national capital. According to officials, these meetings are part of Karnataka’s broader effort to strengthen coordination with the Centre on developmental and water resource projects.

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