Karnataka chief minister renews invitation to Tamil Nadu for Mekedatu talks

Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar has renewed his call for Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay to dispatch a team to the Mekedatu project site, stressing that terrain assessments conclude the reservoir will serve solely drinking purposes. This outreach comes after Vijay's planned August visit to Bengaluru on Cauvery and Mekedatu matters was deferred, prompting Shivakumar to propose a separate meeting in the Cauvery basin.

Speaking in New Delhi after meetings with Union ministers, Shivakumar said the Centre acknowledges Karnataka's stance and that a central inspection team has already examined the location, earmarking alternate land for the forest area that would be submerged. He pledged full cooperation to any Tamil Nadu delegation and noted that Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil has been briefed on Mekedatu, Krishna and other inter-state water issues. Additionally, Shivakumar highlighted Karnataka's fresh Detailed Project Report for the ₹16,745 crore Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and urged an early Central Water Commission appraisal, while also raising pending funding for the Upper Bhadra Project.