Hassan: Amid the ongoing Cauvery water sharing dispute, with Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking the state to release 3,000 cusecs per day for the next 15 days, chief minister DK Shivakumar Sunday said the Mekedatu project does not require permission from Tamil Nadu, but only its cooperation.Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at Hasanamba Temple, he responded to the Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay’s letter to Union govt opposing the project. Tamil Nadu leaders appeared unaware that the project would benefit their state more than Karnataka, he stated.He clarified that Karnataka would use the water only for Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements. “The project site is in my constituency, near the Hanur border. It is also designed to generate 400 MW of electricity,” he said.He added 5,400 hectares of forest land would be submerged due to the dam construction and arrangements had already been made to provide alternative land.The chief minister said Supreme Court had already upheld Karnataka’s rights over the project. Only approval from the Union environment and forest authorities remained pending. He said he had held several discussions with the Union Jal Shakti ministry and will soon meet the Prime Minister.He also said Tamil Nadu’s review petition had been rejected by the SC. Karnataka is committed to releasing 177 TMC of Cauvery water annually as directed, he pointed out.Defending the increase in milk and curd prices, he said it was intended to support farmers and that prices in Karnataka remained lower than in other states.
