The controversy over the proposed Mekedatu water project

Why is the drinking water project a source of confrontation? Why are both parties unable to come to a settlement?

The story so far: The stage appears set for a summer of discontent yet again, as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are heading for a political confrontation over the Mekedatu drinking water project across river Cauvery, proposed by the former. Within days of Tamil Nadu Assembly’s resolution against the project, Karnataka’s legislative assembly is set to counter it with a resolution seeking the project’s early implementation and clearances from the Centre.

As Karnataka heads into an election year in 2023, the Mekedatu issue has been resonating within Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu as well. With Cauvery being an emotive issue that binds people in the Cauvery basin districts in Old Mysore region, Mekedatu is likely to impact election results.

In Karnataka, the latest development on Cauvery has brought together the political class across parties, which were divided over the issue just a month ago by accusing each other of delaying the project. The BJP government was on tenterhooks after Congress took out a 170-km padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru seeking the project's early implementation. They also accused the Centre of delaying the project for political gains in Tamil Nadu. The padayatra was dubbed by the ruling dispensation as a political tool to consolidate the dominant Vokkaliga votes in the Old Mysore region who lean towards the regional party Janata Dal (Secular).

However, closing ranks, leaders of BJP, Congress and JD (S) have objected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s resolution as they see it as an "interference" in a project that has been proposed within the jurisdictional limits of Karnataka. With the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai taking the lead by announcing piloting of a resolution, parties feel that it was "unfair" on the part of Tamil Nadu, which has implemented drinking water projects across Cauvery in its territorial jurisdiction, to oppose a drinking water project proposed by Karnataka.

As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, it has executed drinking water supply projects from what is available to it, without seeking to make any additional claim.

Originally mooted in 1948, Mekedatu (which translates as Goat’s crossing) is a drinking water cum power generation project across river Cauvery. Karnataka gave the project shape after the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal was notified in February 2013 allocating the riparian states their shares. After a pre-feasibility study report was submitted in 2018, the State submitted a detailed project report to the Central Water Commission in 2019. The ₹9,000 crore balancing reservoir at Mekedatu on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border envisages impounding of 67.15 tmc (thousand million cubic) ft. of water. The project, which will involve submergence of nearly 5,100 hectares of forest in Cauvery wildlife sanctuary hosting rich flora and fauna, will help the state in utilising the additional 4.75 tmc ft. of water allocated by Supreme Court in 2018 for consumptive use for drinking purpose for Bengaluru and neighbouring areas. Karnataka’s share in the award has been decided at 284.75 tmc ft. In July 2019, the Expert Appraisal Committee on River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has said the proposal could be reconsidered only after Tamil Nadu and Karnataka reach an “amicable solution.”

The water from Mekedatu is to be pumped to quench the thirst of the burgeoning population of Bengaluru which is estimated to be around 1.3 crore. Currently, more than 30% of Bengaluru is dependent on borewell water. Ramanagara and Bengaluru rural districts will also benefit. Along with the 5th stage of the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme, which will be completed shortly, the water from Mekedatu is projected to meet the water requirement of the State capital for the next 30 years. Besides, there are also plans to generate 400 MW of power. The revenue earned from power generation is expected to compensate the Government its investment on the project within a few years. Karnataka argues that the reservoir will also help to ensure monthly flow stipulated in the award for Tamil Nadu rather than harm the neighbouring State's interest in any way.