Chennai: Replying to Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa's earlier letter over the two states' differences on the former's proposed Mekedatu dam project, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has written to Yediyurappa, urging him not to pursue the project. Stalin, in his letter, said that he does not agree with the Karnataka CM's assertion of the project not harming the interests of Tamil Nadu’s farming community.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had earlier written to Stalin, asking him not to oppose his government's Mekedatu project, arguing that it would immensely benefit both states. Yediyurappa claimed that the project would be used to generate 400 MW of power and to additionally utilize 4.75 TMC of water for meeting drinking and domestic water needs for Bengaluru. However, Stalin has refuted these claims.
".... Karnataka already has adequate infrastructure for drawing drinking water to meet the demand of the Bengaluru Metropolitan area even now, the justification of the need for a reservoir with a storage capacity of 67.16 TMC to utilize 4.75 TMC as drinking water is not at all acceptable. This would definitely jeopardize the availability of water to Tamil Nadu," Stalin wrote.
Stalin also argued that the three components contributing to the annual quantum of water to be delivered by the State of Karnataka at the inter-State contact point have been clearly identified by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, but the proposed Mekedatu project would impound and divert the first component of uncontrolled flows due to Tamil Nadu. "Therefore, the view that the implementation of Mekedatu project would not affect the interests of Tamil Nadu’s farming community cannot be agreed to by us," Stalin said.
Also read:Yediyurappa asks Stalin not to oppose Mekedatu project, suggests engaging in bilateral talks
Clearing the air about Tamil Nadu's two hydropower projects, Stalin said that the power projects did not affect the availability of water for irrigation or drinking usage in Tamil Nadu because there was no additional usage created by the projects. He said that the available water was just being re-circulated by pumping to meet peak power demand.
Yediyurappa in his letter had pointed out that Tamil Nadu had not entered into any kind of negotiations nor secured consent from the Government of Karnataka for two of its own planned two Hydro-Power Projects. He had also suggested a bilateral meeting to be held in the presence of concerned officials to clear all apprehensions.
