Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar speaking at the All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference at Udaipur in Rajasthan on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Irrigation portfolio, on Tuesday used the forum of the national conference of Irrigation Ministers in Rajasthan to urge the Centre to grant approval for the Mekedatu project and release pending funds for various irrigation projects in Karnataka.

Participating in the All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025 with the theme ‘India@2047 – A water secure nation’, in Udaipur, Mr. Shivakumar said, “The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti must instruct the Central Water Commission to grant approval for the Mekedatu project on a priority basis. This project will help Karnataka release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per stipulated monthly quantum. Besides, the project will also help generate 400 MW of power and also fulfil drinking water needs of Bengaluru.”

Funds awaited

He pointed out that the Centre had announced a grant of ₹5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project in the 2023-24 budget. “But the funds have not been released. I appeal to the Centre to release funds for the project as it helps the drought-affected Central Karnataka region,” he said.

“I also appeal to the Ministry of Jal Shakti to move the Supreme Court by filing an application for modification of its order dated September 16, 2011, and take measures for Gazette Notification of the Award of the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal (KWDT-II), which was pronounced during 2010 to enable Karnataka make use of its allocated share,” he said.

Approvals for Mahadayi

He appealed to the Jal Shakti ministry to impress upon the Ministry of Environment to direct the National Board for Wildlife to give requisite clearances to Kalasa Nala scheme related to Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal that was pronounced its award in August, 2018.

“The National Water Development Agency must re-visit the State-wise provisions related to Godavari-Cauvery Link Project under Inter Linking of Rivers Scheme for irrigation water use and allocate the rightful share to the State of Karnataka on the principle of equity and equitable apportionment basis as the current allocation proposed for Karnataka stands at a meagre 15.891 tmcft (10.74 %),” he said.