At the All India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025 in Udaipur, Karnataka has urged the Union government to grant approvals to implement the Mekedatu project and release pending funds for various irrigation projects in the state. Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar said on Tuesday that the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which is the organiser of the two-day event in Rajasthan, must direct the Central Water Commission to clear the Mekedatu project on priority. Mekedatu is a drinking water and power project, proposed near Kanakapura in Ramanagar district, which involves building a 66 TMC balancing reservoir. Tamil Nadu opposes the project saying it would obstruct the natural flow of river water to the state. Shivakumar argued that the project would reduce friction between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water sharing, asserting that it would help Karnataka release its monthly quota of Cauvery water to its southern neighbour. “Apart from this, the project will help generate 400 MW of power and fulfil the drinking water needs of Bengaluru,” he said. Among the other issues highlighted by the minister was the Rs 5,300 crore announced for the Upper Bhadra project in the 2023-24 Union Budget. Shivakumar appealed for the early disbursement of funds for the project that caters to drought-affected regions of central Karnataka. Karnataka urged the Union water ministry to direct the environment ministry to instruct the National Board for Wildlife to provide the required clearances for the scheme. The implementation of this project, which will serve cities such as Hubballi and Dharwad in the Kittur Karnataka region, is delayed owing to opposition from Goa.
