CHENNAI: Karnataka’s attempt to get clearance for Mekedatu project suffered a setback with Central Water Commission (CWC) returning the detailed project report (DPR) to the state govt last month.CWC cited changes in the revised scheme Karnataka submitted in April this year, including linking Mekedatu with Shivanasamudra hydroelectric project through a diversion weir across river Cauvery. It also flagged proposed excess water use and an “inappropriate” basis for calculating the reservoir’s storage capacity.In a communication to Karnataka’s Mekedatu Project Zone, accessed by NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal through RTI, CWC called for a fresh report with details and drawings that comply with Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s award and the commission’s appraisal guidelines.“We found changes in the project’s scope, and returned the report to be resubmitted with compliance requirements in accordance with the tribunal’s award,” a CWC official told TOI. CWC in Nov 2018 gave in-principle consent for preparation of the report after taking the views of the co-basin states into consideration.Karnataka submitted the report to CWC the next year, and the commission referred it to Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). In Feb 2024, the authority sent the report back to CWC to examine the project’s technical and economic aspects and establish feasibility. According to CWC, the revised scheme differs materially from both the feasibility report submitted in Aug 2018 and the detailed project report filed in Jan 2019. The original project report proposed only Mekedatu balancing reservoir to supply drinking water to Bengaluru metropolitan region and adjoining areas.The latest proposal includes Shivanasamudra project component. “Its implications, including environmental impact, submergence and changes in the volume of water flow must be examined,” the CWC official said.CWC noted Karnataka’s decision to increase the proposed consumptive use from 4.75tmcft to 6.95tmcft. It said this exceeded the allocation available under Supreme Court’s order, which provided Karnataka 6.5tmcft for the consumptive needs of its urban and rural population, including existing use.
