No nod for Mekedatu project without Cauvery panel approval: Centre

Assurance from Union Minister Shekhawat to all-party TN delegation

The Centre has given its assurance that Karnataka will not be allowed to carry out any construction on the Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery river until approvals are granted by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), according to members of an all party delegation from Tamil Nadu who met Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday. However, Mr. Shekhawat declined their demand that the Centre withdraw it’s permission allowing Karnataka to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the disputed dam. CWC chairperson S.K. Haldar, who was present at the meeting, also confirmed that the project would not be allowed to proceed without CWMA approval, but said no timeline could be given for the project proposal to be considered by the Authority. The 13-member delegation, which included representatives from the opposition AIADMK and the BJP’s TN unit as well, was led by DMK leader and State Water Resources Minister S. Duraimurugan.