The decision of the ruling Congress Government to construct a reservoir across river Cauvery near Bengaluru has got impetus as members of both the Houses have supported the Government on the issue.
Taking exception to Tamil Nadu Government’s objections to the proposed Mekedatu dam project across Cauvery river, former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said the Karnataka Government should proceed with it on a war footing.
“When we have not even prepared DPR (Detailed Project Report) for Mekedatu project, Tamil Nadu has started raising objections,” Kumaraswamy said in the Assembly while speaking about drinking water problem faced in Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru and other districts.
Participating in the debate on the State Budget, he said the State Government should not relent at any cost and has to show its strong conviction in implementing the dam project.
“We have no objection in releasing Tamil Nadu’s quota of 190 tmc ft (Cauvery water). We will give them their share of water, but we should at any cost go ahead with Mekedatu project,” he added. Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday adopted a unanimous resolution urging Centre to rein in Karnataka from going ahead with its plan to build the dam across the inter-state river.
Intervening, another JD(S) MlA YSV Datta said when Tamil Nadu has stated it will not allow us to go ahead with the project, why shouldn’t Karnataka legislators go ahead and pass a resolution.
Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise Karnataka not to build new dams across the Cauvery at Mekedatu, saying it would affect his State.