The controversial Mekedatu reservoir project proposed by Karnataka has hit a significant procedural roadblock. The chairperson of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), S K Haldar, declared on Friday that the project cannot advance any further until its techno-commercial feasibility is conclusively established.
Inspection and Inquiry at Kallanai Barrage
The statement was made during Haldar's visit to Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district, where he inspected the historic Kallanai barrage. During his inspection, the CWMA chairperson engaged with engineers from the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department. He sought detailed information on several critical aspects, including the water inflow to the dam, the distribution patterns to the Cauvery, Vennar, and Kollidam rivers, as well as the Grand Anicut Canal. The structural integrity and specifics of the dam were also part of his detailed inquiry.
Project's Fate Hangs on Feasibility Study
Interacting with reporters, Haldar addressed the persistent objections raised by the Tamil Nadu government against Karnataka's Mekedatu dam initiative. He provided a clear, procedural stance on the matter. "The techno-commercial feasibility of the project, including its suitability for investment at this time, remains to be established," Haldar stated. He emphasized that a decision on the project's progression can only be taken once these fundamental aspects are confirmed and finalized.
Highlighting the administrative timeline, Haldar revealed that the proposal had been pending with the CWMA for a period of two years. However, it has now been returned to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for further scrutiny. This means the project is currently not under active consideration by the CWMA.
Stakeholder Concerns and Ongoing Dialogue
The visit also saw representation from Tamil Nadu's farming community. A delegation from the Tamil Nadu Kaviri Vivasayigal Sangam, led by its general secretary P R Pandian, met with the CWMA chairperson to voice their concerns. This interaction underscores the high stakes and deep-seated anxieties surrounding water-sharing in the Cauvery basin, where agricultural livelihoods are directly impacted by upstream projects.
The current development indicates that the Mekedatu project, a long-standing point of contention between the two southern states, remains in a state of limbo. Its future now critically depends on the findings of the comprehensive techno-commercial feasibility study, which will assess both the engineering viability and the financial rationale for the proposed reservoir.
