Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi to assess the status of several critical water resource and drinking water projects, including the long-pending Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects. It was to discuss the state's water management strategy, reservoir levels and legal and administrative issues that arise in relation to water development and drinking water at a watershed level.
The review is important as Karnataka is putting long-term water security ahead of demand in the urban areas and the rainfall in the region and inter-state disputes continue to arise.
Focus on Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects
The Mekedatu balancing reservoir project remains one of Karnataka’s most ambitious drinking water and hydroelectric projects. The proposed project in Bengaluru and its surrounding area is expected to provide drinking water for Bengaluru and the surrounding areas and generate hydroelectric power. Yet, legal and environmental obstacles to its accomplishment are among the reasons for its slow progress and opposition from neighboring Tamil Nadu.
The Mahadayi river water dispute continues to be a major issue between Karnataka and Goa, too. It is essential for drinking water to some parts of northern Karnataka. The legal status of both projects had been discussed in the meeting, and all strategies were discussed to make them move faster and to comply with the legal and statutory conditions.
Review of reservoir water levels
An important agenda item was water storage of the major reservoirs in Karnataka. The water availability, inflows, storage capacity and overall state preparedness to meet drinking water and irrigation needs in these reservoirs were updated, they said.
The Chief Minister reviewed reservoir conditions to ensure sufficient water availability for agriculture, domestic consumption and industrial use. Contingency planning and effective water use to minimise the impact of any future rainfall fluctuations were also discussed.
Emphasis on drinking water security
The meeting focused on uninterrupted supply of drinking water in Karnataka. Senior officials also discussed the ongoing and future work in water infrastructure development, distribution network improvement and urban and rural water supply for the growing population.
The government made no doubt that it will continue to act in a sustainable way in water management, but that priority projects that will contribute to the long-term water security of the state will be prioritized in the future.
Senior officials participate
The meeting was attended by senior government officials and legal experts involved with Karnataka water resource programs.
Among those present were:
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy
Karnataka's Special Representative in Delhi T.B. Jayachandra
Karnataka Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty
Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta
Chief Minister's Secretary Nakul
Technical Adviser Jaiprakash
Senior officials from the Water Resources and Law Departments
The participation of administrative and legal experts spoke to the government’s integrated approach to addressing technical, policy and legal aspects of major water infrastructure projects.
Strategic importance of the meeting
As several water projects were pending regulatory clearance and/or judicial decisions or inter-state negotiations, the review meeting was therefore to help coordinate between different agencies. The review committee looked at the pending issues, legal frameworks and administrative processes to move the projects forward in a smooth way.
The government also discussed how to improve coordination with central agencies wherever necessary and strengthen Karnataka's position in matters relating to interstate river water sharing.
Government reiterates commitment
The Karnataka government has consistently maintained that providing drinking water for the state's people is the highest priority. Mekedatu and Mahadayi are among the state’s long-term water infrastructure and development projects.
As climate variability continues to place increasing pressure on water resources, the government said scientific planning, efficient reservoir management and timely execution of major projects for sustainable water availability for future generations were required to ensure water availability.
The high-level review at Karnataka Bhavan shows the state’s continuing focus on meeting both immediate water needs and long-term infrastructure planning through coordinated administrative, legal and technical efforts.
