Karnataka Chief Minister flags Mekedatu project
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar highlighted the Mekedatu project during a meeting of the Southern Zonal Council, emphasizing its importance not only for Karnataka but also for Tamil Nadu. He assured that every drop of water from the Mekedatu project would benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In his speech on water issues, Shivakumar stressed that rivers like the Cauvery, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Pennar, and Palar are vital to the southern peninsula and called for a shift from "water sharing to water cooperation."
He referenced the June 25 meeting involving Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, noting that the three States demonstrated that inter-State water issues could be resolved through dialogue. Shivakumar outlined three principles for cooperation: equity, transparency, and cooperation. He maintained that cooperation should be reciprocal, and Karnataka's lawful share under tribunal awards and the timely completion of projects beneficial to its farmers must be protected.
He pledged to present Karnataka's stance on the Krishna, upper Bhadra, and river interlinking projects before the Council.
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