Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project

Why in the news?

• Karnataka has decided to submit a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River.
• The Supreme Court termed Tamil Nadu’s challenge as “premature”, enabling the CWMA and CWC to examine the project.

Location & River

• Mekedatu is located in Ramanagara district, ~100 km from Bengaluru.
• The project is proposed on the inter-State Cauvery river.
• Karnataka = upper riparian; Tamil Nadu = lower riparian.

Why Does Karnataka Want It?

• Bengaluru water demand:
  • Present: 2,600 MLD
  • Supply: 2,100 MLD → shortage of 500 MLD
• Population to reach 20 million in 6 years → demand may rise to 4,000 MLD.
• Shivakumar argues Mekedatu will ensure regulated release to Tamil Nadu, even in poor rainfall years.

Why Is Tamil Nadu Opposed?

• Trust deficit due to the history of Cauvery disputes.
• Concern: Karnataka may store more water and release it selectively.
• TN argues the project violates the 2018 SC judgment and Cauvery Tribunal’s final award.

Centre’s Position

• 2019: Karnataka submitted DPR → CWC → CWMA.
• MoEFCC (2019): Sought an “amicable solution” due to inter-State dispute.
• 2024 (Feb): CWMA referred DPR back to CWC after deliberations.
• Now: DPR to be examined afresh; CWMA/CWC can facilitate dialogue.

Constitutional & Legal Angle Inter-State Rivers: Union List Entry 56 – regulation and development of inter-State rivers. River Boards Act, 1956 (not effectively implemented). Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT): Award notified in February 2013. Supreme Court Judgment (2018): Reallocated shares; Gave 4.75 TMC drinking water allocation to Bengaluru.

 

Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken? (2016) (a) Cauvery and Tungabhadra  (b) Godavari and Krishna  (c) Mahanadi and Son  (d) Narmada and Tapti