Karnataka presses Centre for Mekedatu dam clearance at water summit

Karnataka has renewed its push for Central clearance of stalled irrigation and drinking water infrastructure, placing the revised detailed project report for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir at the top of its demands during a ministerial meeting in Delhi.

Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy led a high-level delegation to the Departmental Summit: 2026 of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, where he pressed the Central Water Commission to immediately approve the revised DPR for Mekedatu, a project the state says is critical for Bengaluru's water security and for districts including Mandya, Bengaluru South and Chamarajanagara. The project is also intended to ensure regulated releases to Tamil Nadu during distress years.

Pending projects across river basins

Cheluvarayaswamy drew attention to the status of multiple stalled schemes including the Upper Krishna Project, Kalasa-Banduri and Upper Bhadra, explaining their importance to the state.

On the Upper Krishna Project's third phase, the minister demanded an immediate gazette notification for the final order of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II, which would allow Karnataka to access its allocated 130 tmcft share. He also sought release of ₹5,300 crore announced in the Union Budget for the project, alongside Public Investment Board endorsement for revised cost estimates.

The delegation further called for forest and environmental clearance for the Kalasa and Banduri diversion projects in the Mahadayi basin, designed to supply drinking water to the Hubballi-Dharwad Corporation areas.

Broader water sector dialogue

Cheluvarayaswamy participated in the summit alongside RDPR Minister Eshwar Khandre and held preliminary talks with Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil on Karnataka's major irrigation projects. The state delegation presented a comprehensive overview of Karnataka's irrigation schemes, reform initiatives and inter-state water disputes.

The summit included a wider brainstorming session convened by Patil with water resources and Public Health Engineering ministers, secretaries and policy makers on challenges facing India's water sector, covering modern infrastructure needs, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, sustainability of drinking water resources, modernisation of rural supply networks and inter-state water management co-operation.

Source: The Hindu