Karnataka Chief Minister announces funds for Mekedatu project in next budget

Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced that adequate funds would be earmarked for the Mekedatu project in the next budget.

On October 16, after inaugurating the Cauvery Aarti programme at Brindavan Garden in Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS), Mr. Shivakumar said preparations were underway for the Bhoomi Puja, or ground-breaking ceremony, for Mekedatu project that involves constructing a balancing reservoir along the river Cauvery.

A committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner has already been constituted to make arrangements for providing alternative land for the 5,000 hectares belonging to the Forest Department that will be submerged in the project.

Cauvery Aarti, Mr. Shivakumar said, had entered its second year. The programme was launched with the aim of expressing the gratitude of the people to the river, he added.

From its origin to the sea, the Cauvery sustains numerous cities, people and industries, the Chief Minister said, while pointing out that the KRS reservoir offers irrigation facilities upto 347 km while providing water to an estimated 37,147 acres of land

“Last year, 341 TMC of water flowed into the sea, while 177 TMC had to be released to Tamil Nadu. This year, the country is facing a severe drought, and barring the Krishna dam, no other dam in Karnataka has filled up,” he said.

Tenders for desilting

Mr. Shivakumar said the Union Minister for Jal Shakti had directed officials to invite tenders for desilting the KRS and Tungabhadra reservoirs following a meeting attended by him along with representatives of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

“Desilting programmes have already begun in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Dredging machines are being brought in to remove the accumulated silt, and the sand and soil are being supplied to farmers. The Irrigation Minister and I will visit Telangana shortly to inspect the initiative and explore ways to prevent the wastage of water,” he said.

He said an allocation of ₹100 crore had been made to the Cauvery Aarti programme by the government of Karnataka. “An open-air stadium has been planned downstream, with weekly aarti ceremonies to promote religious devotion among the people, and preserve our traditions,” he said.