Karnataka Chief Minister explores all-party delegation to address Cauvery and Mahadayi river water disputes and Mekedatu project commencement, emphasises safeguarding state interests.
Conceived in early 2000, the project envisages constructing a dam near Ontigondlu, about 1.5 km from Mekedatu in Ramanagara district of Karnataka at the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers.
The Cauvery water sharing is not some ordinary matter but a 'life' issue and Tamil Nadu will not allow the construction of a dam across the inter-state river at Mekedatu by Karnataka, state minister Duraimurugan said here on Thursday.
In 2022, the Congress, which was then in opposition in Karnataka, had taken out a padayatra, demanding the ruling BJP hasten the implementation of the project. The BJP had then said that the Congress had no moral right to protest as it had done nothing for the project when it was in power.
"I am surprised that Shivakumar is resorting to teasing a neighbouring state within days of being sworn-in (as deputy CM). I believe the officials have not explained the full details of Mekedatu," DMK Minister Duraimurugan said.