The Karnataka Assembly has recently agreed upon a resolution for the endorsement of the Mekedatu drinking water and balancing reservoir project. This was in response to opposition from Tamil Nadu, causing friction between the two states over interstate water disputes.
Understanding the Mekedatu Project
The Mekedatu project is a multipurpose one, aimed at building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura, in Ramanagara district of Karnataka. The locale of Mekedatu, translating to ‘goat’s leap’ in English, is a deep gorge situated where the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi meet. The project aspires to provide 4.75 TMC of drinking water to Bengaluru and its vicinity and generate power amounting to 400 MW.
Benefits of the Mekedatu Project
The implementation of this project would allow for the meeting of the growing need for drinking water in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. It also aids in harnessing renewable energy by generating hydroelectric power. Additionally, it helps in regulating the flow of river water, thus aiding in the prevention of floods and droughts, thereby benefiting local communities and farmers.
Current Status and Opposition
As it stands, the project has not managed to secure consent from the state of Tamil Nadu, which is mandatory. It is in its nascent stages, still awaiting clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
Tamil Nadu asserts that the proposed dam would severely impact the flow of water downstream, thus affecting agricultural activities and water supply adversely. To Tamil Nadu, the Cauvery river is vital for supporting farming communities and meeting the water needs of its population. It further alleges that the construction of the dam breaches the ruling of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) which allocated specific water shares to each riparian state.
Insight into the Cauvery River Dispute
The Cauvery River, known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil, is the fourth largest river in southern India, considered sacred by locals. The river originates from the Brahmagiri Hill in southwestern Karnataka, flows southeast through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, descends the Eastern Ghats, and drains into the Bay of Bengal through Pondicherry. The river has numerous tributaries on both banks.
The ongoing dispute regarding this river dates back to 150 years ago, with the origin being in the arbitration agreements that took place in 1892 and 1924 between the then Madras presidency and Mysore. It necessitated that upper riparian state needs to obtain consent from the lower riparian state for any construction activity along the river. The dispute surfaced in 1974 when Karnataka began diverting water without Tamil Nadu’s consent, leading to the formation of the CWDT in 1990 and subsequent rulings on water allocation.
Way Forward for the Disputes
For an all-round solution, it is essential to consider joint river rejuvenation for restoring the entirety of Cauvery River, addressing pollution and habitat degradation. Redesigning the Mekedatu project to incorporate eco-friendly elements and ensure minimal environmental disruption could be another step forward. Implementing real-time monitoring of water levels and rainfall patterns coupled with transparent data sharing between states might help foster trust and aid in informed decision-making. Cultural exchanges celebrating shared heritage could also work towards strengthening the bond between the states, thus creating a conducive atmosphere for resolving the dispute.
