Reject Karnataka’s DPR for Mekedatu dam, Purohit to Centre

Delivering his customary address to the state Assembly,  Governor Ba warilal Purohit said this Government continues to strongly protect theinterests of Tamil Naduin sharing of inter-stateriver waters.

“We once again urge the Centre to ensure that the DPR for the Mekedatu project submitted by Karnataka is rejected and returned forthwith and to restrain it from taking up any construction activity in the Cauvery basin without the prior consent of the Tamil Nadu government in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Stating that the Karnataka government was also planning a reservoir across the Markandeya River in the Pennaiyar basin, he said in May 2012, the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa had written to the then Prime Minister strongly opposing any construction of storage or diversion structureson the Pennaiyar River in Karnataka.

The matter was also taken up a number of times subsequently and finally, the state government has filed a suit in the Supreme Court in May 2018.

“Based on the interim order of the Supreme Court, Tamil Nadu has requested the Centre to constitute a Tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 on the Pennaiyar dispute,” he added.Noting that the main case was still pending in the Supreme Court, Purohit said this government urges the Centre to constitute the Tribunal at the earliestand direct the Karnataka government not to take up any water storage or diversion works in the Pennaiyar basin without Tamil Nadu’s consent. Complimenting Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for his amicable approach on the Parambikulam Aliyar Project and related issues and his initiative to visit Thiruvananthapuram to hold fruitful talks with his Keralacounterpart, the Governor said the Apex Court has permitted TN to carry out strengthening works in the Mullaiperiyar dam to restore the water level to 152 ft and accordingly, the state government sanctioned Rs 7.85crore for this purpose.

Stating environmental clearances were required for dam strengthening works, Purohit urged the Union and Kerala governments to accord requisite clearances for strengthening the dam at the earliest.