*Mekedatu Is Our Right; We Will Build the Dam and Release Water to Tamil Nadu Too*: *CM D.K. Shivakumar*

Pragativahini News: “The Mekedatu project is Karnataka’s right, and it is our duty to implement it in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive. Instead of opposing the move, Tamil Nadu should send a delegation so I can explain the benefits they stand to gain from it. We will not back down at any stage when it comes to safeguarding the interests of our state,” Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar asserted.

Shivakumar was speaking to the media at the Vidhana Soudha premises on Saturday.

‘Let Tamil Nadu Send a Delegation’

Responding to opposition from Tamil Nadu Congress President Manickam Tagore and other leaders from the neighbouring state regarding the project and his recent remarks, Shivakumar said, “Anyone is free to oppose it, but Tamil Nadu must also 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 walk them through the project. What is happening there is purely politics—if the Congress doesn’t oppose it, the DMK will; if the DMK doesn’t, the AIADMK will. However, 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. While protecting our own rights, we will respect theirs as well. Building the dam and releasing water is both our right and our duty. Aside from the Central Government’s requirement to provide compensatory land for the submerged forest area, this is entirely our project being built on our land.”

‘We Will Safeguard Tamil Nadu’s Interests Too’

Addressing concerns that Mekedatu could adversely affect Tamil Nadu’s water supply, he stated, “We bear the responsibility of protecting the water share due to Tamil Nadu, just as we must protect Karnataka’s rightful share.”

“The Supreme Court has clearly defined their 177 TMC entitlement. Delivering the water owed to them is our duty. We will build the dam and ensure they receive their share. Let Tamil Nadu come forward for discussions—I am ready to present the facts of the project. I will gather complete details on this and speak further in the coming days,” he added.

Push for Central Clearances

“I have urged the Central Government to grant the necessary forest and environmental clearances for the Mekedatu project. All political parties in the state have backed the initiative, and work is underway to submit the required documentation. Once the clearances come through, the state government is ready to move forward with execution,” he said.

Competition in Politics, Cooperation in Development

When asked about his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the PM’s visit to the state, Shivakumar remarked, “Let us compete in politics, but cooperate on development. In the political arena, we play politics; however, securing the Centre’s support for the state’s growth is our responsibility.”

“Beyond Mekedatu, I have also pressed the Centre to reject the Kasturirangan report. I have sought an equal partnership between the Central and State governments for the Metro project and requested the formation of a technical committee to oversee this. We aim to expand the Metro network to 500 km in the upcoming phases, and I have asked for expedited approvals on pending proposals,” he noted.

Convincing the Centre on the Double-Decker Flyover

“The Centre had initially raised objections to Bengaluru’s double-decker flyover project. Alongside Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, I explained the urgency of this infrastructure to the Prime Minister. Roads account for only 8% of Bengaluru’s area, compared to 18% to 20% in other major cities. Furthermore, land acquisition in Bengaluru requires compensation of nearly ₹50,000 per square foot—a cost the state government cannot shoulder alone. I convinced him that the Centre and the State must share the financial burden to execute the double-decker project. I also offered to lead an all-party delegation to discuss this further, to which he agreed. As a representative of Karnataka, I am doing my job in the state’s best interest—people are free to speculate whatever they want,” he said.

Farmers’ Energy Subsidy Burden Climbs to ₹30,000 Crore

Replying to a query on pending power dues raised during the Suvarna Soudha session, Shivakumar said, “This issue is not confined to Suvarna Soudha alone. The energy subsidy burden for farmers’ irrigation pumpsets, which stood at around ₹20,000 crore earlier, has now climbed to ₹30,000 crore. Power consumption has surged due to drought conditions, as well as lift irrigation schemes supplying water to tanks, among other factors. The government will address and resolve all these issues.”