Context:
The Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project has again become contentious after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing Karnataka’s proposal to construct the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir across the Cauvery River. Tamil Nadu seeks to prevent the project, while Karnataka maintains that it is meant for drinking water supply and flow regulation.
Explanation:
- Mekedatu is a proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project on the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, close to the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border.
- The project aims to provide drinking water to Bengaluru, regulate river flows and generate about 400 MW of hydropower; it has no irrigation component.
- The proposal requires preparation and approval of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), followed by statutory clearances from agencies such as the Central Water Commission (CWC) and environmental authorities.
- The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) gave its final award in 2007, which was modified by the Supreme Court in 2018, leading to the establishment of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
- Karnataka is the upper riparian State, while Tamil Nadu is the lower riparian State, making downstream water availability the core issue.
- Tamil Nadu argues that the project may affect its allocated share of Cauvery waters, whereas Karnataka maintains that it will utilize only its legally allocated share.
- The Supreme Court has held that objections to the project are premature until the DPR is examined by the competent expert bodies, particularly the CWMA.
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