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Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday asserted that the state will proceed with the Mekedatu project in accordance with Supreme Court directions, dismissing the opposition from Tamil Nadu Congress president B Manickam Tagore as a matter of "personal opinion".
Kharge's remarks come in response to the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee's (TNCC) staunch opposition to the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River. Kharge emphasised the legal and developmental necessity of the project. "Whether it is me, you, or anyone else, we must proceed in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court. They themselves have said that excess water is flowing into the sea. They have also said that Kannadigas can make productive use of that water. We will take whatever steps are necessary in this regard. Personal opinions do not matter here," the minister stated. Reiterating the state government's commitment to addressing the water crisis in the state capital and supporting the agrarian community, Kharge said the project is vital for the region's growth. "What matters is that our farmers benefit and that Bengaluru's drinking water needs are met. Overall, this is an issue of economic development and activity, not just one concerning agriculture alone," he added. This comes after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing Karnataka's proposed dam across the Cauvery River on June 19. The resolution, moved by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, cited legal and constitutional concerns and reiterated Tamil Nadu's objections to the project, arguing that it could affect downstream water availability, particularly during periods of drought. The move received support from major parties in the House, including Congress and VCK, while opposition parties such as AIADMK also reiterated their longstanding objections to the project, warning of its impact on water availability during drought periods. Karnataka leaders have maintained that the project is intended to harness surplus water and would not affect Tamil Nadu's allocated share under existing Cauvery water-sharing arrangements. However, Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the proposal, arguing that any additional storage upstream could reduce or delay the release of Cauvery waters to downstream regions, threatening irrigation for farmers. The proposed Mekedatu project is a 9,000-crore multipurpose dam planned by the Karnataka government across the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, close to the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers. (ANI)
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