Mekedatu power project: 'No rules being violated'

 On the eve of statewide bandh, the Karantaka government stood firm on its decision to go ahead with the Mekedatu project on the grounds that it was not violating any rule of the land.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said on Friday that the hydro power project is not in violation of any rule and Tamil Nadu need not unduly worry over it because it is going to be built in Karnataka. Neither Shivanasamudra nor Mekedatu project is going to occupy Tamil Nadu land, he said.

When contacted by this newspaper, the minister said: “The Mekedatu power project is in the interest of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. At the proposed dam, power would be generated and utilised by Karnataka. But, water from the dam would be released to Tamil Nadu if that state desired so. If the neighbouring state is not interested in additional water, then it would be brought to Bengaluru.”

The minister, who has been vociferously demanding the implementation of Mekedatu project even when he was in the Opposition, said for the last six months, he has been studying the files pertaining to the project. It has been studied from the legal perspective too. Tamil Nadu is entitled for 192 tmc ft of Cauvery water, he said.

Jayachandra said the proposed project would require 60 tmc ft of water for power generation. If the project is implemented, Karnataka could offer more water to Tamil Nadu. “Of the 192 tmc ft of water, 150 tmc ft went into the sea last year. This year, 32 tmc ft of water was wasted. Our intention is not to waste water but to harness it,” he added.

When his attention was drawn to the comment by Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar that the Centre has not received any request from Karnataka seeking environmental clearances for the Mekedatu project, Jayachandra said the State is yet to complete its detailed project report. Once ready, it would be submitted to the Centre for clearance, he added.

Water Resources Minister M B Patil said the DPR would be ready by December this year. The department had invited global expression for preparing the DPR. Three firms have evinced interest, he added.

Replying to a question he said the government would know the extent of land required and cost of the project only after getting the DPR ready.

Meeting PM
The law minister said an all-party delegation led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 22 to explain the merits of the Mekedatu project, he added.