BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday asserted that the state had the right to build the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river while protecting Tamil Nadu's entitlement to 177 TMC of water, and said the project would be pursued in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions.
He said Karnataka would seek the necessary forest and environmental clearances from the Centre and was committed to taking the project forward. Responding to criticism from Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar invited the neighbouring state government to send a delegation to understand the project's benefits.
"Let them (Tamil Nadu government) come with a delegation. I will show them and explain how this project will benefit them," he told reporters here.
Emphasising cooperation between the two states on development despite political differences, he said, "In politics, we will compete; in development, we will cooperate," referring to his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the discussions on issues concerning Karnataka.
The Mekedatu project has been a longstanding point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. While Karnataka maintains that the reservoir will meet Bengaluru's drinking water requirements and help manage water scarcity, Tamil Nadu fears it could affect the interests of its farmers.
Shivakumar said all political parties in Karnataka had agreed that the project should proceed. He added that he was submitting the necessary documents to the Central ministries to secure clearances and had urged the Centre to reject the Kasturirangan report.
"It is our duty to protect their right. At the same time, it is our right to build the dam and provide them with water," he said, referring to Tamil Nadu's allocated share.
On his recent interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shivakumar said he had sought equal funding from the Centre and the state for Metro Rail projects, the constitution of a technical committee, expediting pending Metro projects and extending the Pink Line.
He also raised the need for more flyovers and double-decker structures in Bengaluru, citing the limited road network and high land acquisition costs. Only about eight per cent of Bengaluru's area was covered by roads, compared with 18-20 per cent in other places, he said, adding that land acquisition could cost around Rs 50,000 per square foot.
The state was willing to share the expenditure on double-decker structures, and Modi had agreed to the proposal to bring an all-party delegation to discuss the issues, he added.
Earlier, marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Shivakumar recalled his contributions to industrialisation, scientific research, education and the strengthening of democratic institutions. He cited the establishment of institutions such as HAL, IITs, HMT and BHEL during Nehru's tenure and recalled his contribution to the Tungabhadra dam project in Karnataka.