Mandya: Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy has said the state government is aiming to lay the foundation stone for the Mekedatu project by August next year, with technical and legal procedures being expedited.
Addressing reporters in Mandya, Chaluvarayaswamy said the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted to the Centre. The project requires around 12,500 acres of land, while about 20,000 acres have already been identified, he said.
Calling Mekedatu crucial for the Cauvery basin, the minister said the project could provide a long-term solution to the Cauvery water dispute. Two irrigation officials have been deputed to Delhi to monitor the project’s progress on a daily basis, he added.
On the issue of releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Chaluvarayaswamy said, “No water has been released to Tamil Nadu. Trust me.” He said no water was released during June and July, while stating that exact current flow figures could not be disclosed due to technical reasons.
He expressed confidence that the KRS reservoir would fill by September if rainfall continues through August. Water has been supplied to lakes, agricultural fields and crops for the past 20 days.
The minister also announced an Agriculture and Dairying College in Mandya, with the state’s first dairying college proposed at Suttur. A free public Wi-Fi facility is also planned at several locations in Mandya city.
Chaluvarayaswamy urged Cauvery basin farmers to bring their grievances and suggestions directly to the government rather than resorting to protests, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed.
