Mandya/Bengaluru: Karnataka will earmark funds for the Rs 16,745 crore Mekedatu balancing reservoir project in its next budget, chief minister DK Shivakumar said, signalling the govt’s intent to push ahead with the project despite strong opposition from Tamil Nadu.
The reservoir irrigates an estimated 37,147 acres, with its network extending to 347 km. Making a case for better utilisation of Cauvery water, Shivakumar said 341 TMC had flowed into the sea last year, while 177 TMC had to be released to Tamil Nadu.
“This year, the country is facing drought, and barring the Krishna dam, no other dam in Karnataka has filled up,” he said. He said the Union water resources ministry had directed officials to invite tenders for desilting the KRS and Tungabhadra reservoirs after a meeting with representatives of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The irrigation minister and I will visit Telangana shortly to inspect the initiative and explore ways to prevent water wastage,” he said.
Shivakumar made the announcement during the second year of the Cauvery Aarti programme at Krishnarajasagara (KRS) in Mandya. “Desilting has begun in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where dredging machines are being brought in to remove accumulated silt.