Yediyurappa urges Centre for early approvals for Mekedatu, Kalasa-Banduri Nala projects

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday urged Centre for early clearances or approvals to Mekedatu and Kalasa-Banduri Nala projects aimed at providing drinking water supply, which neighboring Tamil Nu and Goa are opposed to, respectively.

Yediyurappa, who is in Delhi today met Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javekar and requested to direct concerned authorities in Ministry to grant Terms of Reference for Mekedatu Project, state Information Department said in an official release.

He also sought first st forest clearance for Kalasa and Banduri Nala Projects in state. Later, CM also met Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and sought early approvals and clearances for irrigation and drinking water projects including Mekedatu and Kalasa Banduri Nala to utilise precious water resources allocated to State.

Mekedatu balancing reservoir and Drinking water project involves construction of a balancing reservoir across river Cauvery near Mekedatu, with a capacity of about 67.16 tmcft. total cost of project is worked out to be Rs 9,000 crores, aiming to provide drinking water facilities to Bengaluru Metropolitan region and its surrounding areas (4.75 TMC) and generate 400 MW of power as an ditional benefit.

Despite assurance that project will in way affect Supreme Court order to release 177.25 tmcft Cauvery water to Tamil Nu, lower riparian state has been vehemently opposing it, raising apprehensions that it will be affected if project takes shape. On or hand, Kalasa-Banduri Project in Mahayi river basin aims to bring water to drought-prone regions of Hubballi, Dharw, Belagavi and Gag districts by diverting water from inter-state Mahayi river to Malaprabha river in Karnataka.

Goa has opposed Kalasa-Banduri project claiming it would cause "ecological devastation" and increase salinity in waters of Mahayi river.

Chief Minister also urged Jal Shakti Minister to declare irrigation projects like Upper Krishna Project St- III and Upper Bhra Project as "National Projects".

se were also among developmental issues pertaining to State that Yediyurappa h discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during meeting, earlier in day.

A release said, Yediyurappa also called on Union Minister for Petroleum,National Gas and Steel Dharmendra Prhan and requested to expedite process of disinvestment of Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited. 

(Im Credits:PTI)