Mekedatu is Karnataka’s right, we will build dam and release Tamil Nadu’s share of water: D.K. Shivakumar

14 Nov 2026, 03:46 PM 5 min read

Bengaluru Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday (November 14, 2026) asserted that Karnataka would go ahead with the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, describing it as the State’s right and duty, while assuring that Tamil Nadu would receive its stipulated share of Cauvery water. What is the Mekedatu dam project dispute? | Explained storyline 1 Responding to opposition to the project from leaders in Tamil Nadu, including State Congress president Manickam Tagore, Mr.

Shivakumar said the neighbouring State should send a delegation to Karnataka to understand the project’s benefits rather than oppose it. “Anyone is free to oppose it, but Tamil Nadu must recognise that this is our State and our right. If they wish, let them send a delegation. I am prepared to take them to the dam site and explain the project,” he told presspersons. Chief Minister D.K.

Shivakumar places Karnataka’s demands on stage with Prime Minister Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar places Karnataka’s demands on stage with Prime Minister Demands included a fairer financial partnership over Bengaluru’s Namma Metro, clearance for Mekedatu project, scrapping Kasturirangan Report and immediate drought relief Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar places Karnataka’s demands on stage with Prime Minister storyline 1 Will honour Tamil Nadu’s entitlement He said Karnataka would respect Tamil Nadu’s entitlement of 177 TMC of Cauvery water as stipulated by the Supreme Court.

“We will build the dam and ensure that they receive their share. Protecting Karnataka’s water rights while ensuring that Tamil Nadu gets its due share is our responsibility. We will not back down when it comes to safeguarding the interests of our State,” he said. Tamil Nadu’s claim of Cauvery backlog and the Supreme Court’s response | Explained storyline 1 Describing the opposition to the project as politically motivated, he said the issue should be viewed in the context of the law and the Supreme Court’s directions rather than political rivalry.

“This is not a political matter. Everyone must respect the law of the land and abide by the Supreme Court’s order. Receiving 177 TMC of water is Tamil Nadu’s right, and we will honour it,” he said. Mr. Shivakumar said the State had sought the necessary forest and environmental clearances from the Centre and was preparing the required documents. All political parties in Karnataka had supported the project, he said, pointing out that the government was ready to take it forward once the clearances were obtained.

The Centre’s requirement of providing compensatory land for the forest area that would be submerged was among the issues to be addressed. Mekedatu dam project: a long-standing source of friction between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Mekedatu dam project: a long-standing source of friction between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka The idea of the project proponent – the Karnataka government – is to impound 67.16 thousand million cubic ft (TMC) of water by building a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu (which, in Kannada, means ‘goat’s leap’), about 100 km from Bengaluru.

TAMIL NADU INFOCUS Mekedatu dam project: a long-standing source of friction between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka storyline 1 Centre’s support for infrastructure projects On his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to Karnataka on Friday (November 13, 2026), Mr. Shivakumar said political differences should not come in the way of development. “Let us compete in politics, but cooperate on development.

Securing the Centre’s support for the State’s growth is our responsibility,” he said. He said he had also urged the Centre to reject the Kasturirangan report and sought equal participation by the Centre and the State in funding Bengaluru Metro projects. He had proposed the formation of a technical committee to oversee the projects and sought faster clearances for pending proposals.

The State aimed to expand the Metro network to 500 km in future phases, he said. Furore over the Mekedatu project Furore over the Mekedatu project Tamil Nadu may be waging a losing battle in its fight to get the project scrapped State of play Furore over the Mekedatu project storyline 1 Farmers’ power subsidy burden On the pending power dues raised during the Suvarna Soudha session, Mr.

Shivakumar said the government’s subsidy burden towards electricity supplied to farmers’ irrigation pumpsets had increased from about ₹20,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore. He attributed the increase to higher power consumption during drought conditions and the use of lift irrigation schemes to fill tanks, among other factors. The government would address the issue and resolve the pending matters, he said.

BOX FOR PRINT Convincing Centre on double-decker flyover On the proposed double-decker flyover project in Bengaluru, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said he had explained to the Prime Minister why Central support was necessary. He said he had persuaded the Prime Minister that the Centre and the State should share the financial burden of the project. The Prime Minister had agreed to a proposal for an all-party delegation to discuss the issue, he added.

The Chief Minister said the Centre had initially raised objections to the project, but he and Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had highlighted Bengaluru’s infrastructure constraints and the high cost of land acquisition. “Roads account for only 8% of Bengaluru’s area, compared with 18% to 20% in other major cities. Land acquisition here costs nearly ₹50,000 per square foot, which the State government cannot bear alone,” he said.