A file photo of the site for the proposed balancing reservoir at Mekedatu in Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) district.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday termed the Supreme Court rejecting Tamil Nadu’s application challenging the proposed construction of a reservoir by Karnataka at Mekedatu across the Cauvery as “justice to the State.”
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Shivakumar, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, said: “This is not about a setback or a victory. It has given justice to Mekedatu. Mekedatu is a project for our water, and it doesn’t affect Tamil Nadu in any way. In fact, it benefits Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has responded to the people of Karnataka”.
Tamil Nadu will get its share of water as per the court’s judgments, and hence the State will continue with the project, he said.
Our land, our resources
“This project is being done in our land and with our resources. This project will help us supply water to Tamil Nadu as per the tribunal’s order even during poor rain years. This is a victory for the people of Bengaluru. This water will provide drinking water to people from all States living in Bengaluru. I appeal to Tamil Nadu to support the project now at least. We all need to work on this project together,” Mr. Shivakumar said.
CWC will support
Asked if the Central Water Commission (CWC) would support the project, he said: “The court will give directions to the CWC. The CWC doesn’t have any other choice but to support the Mekedatu project.”
Tamil Nadu has been opposing the project, saying that it would curtail the flow of water downstream. The Tamil Nadu government called the project “illegal” and against the federal system.
The project is expected to utilise 4.75 tmcft (consumptive use) of water for meeting the drinking water needs of Bangalore city and generating 400 MW of hydropower. The project will cause submergence of around 4,996 hectares, including about 4,800 hectares of forest and wildlife land.
As per the upper riparian State’s plan, a ₹9,000-crore balancing reservoir has been proposed at Mekedatu. The Congress undertook a padayatra before the 2023 Assembly elections and promised implementation of the project.
Published – November 13, 2025 06:53 pm IST
