Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Thursday, 13 August directed senior officials to fast-track the Mekedatu drinking water project, warning that no delays would be tolerated at any stage of the ambitious scheme. The directive came within hours of the newly appointed minister assuming charge of the department.

Key Directives from the Minister

Cheluvarayaswamy convened a detailed review meeting with senior Water Resources Department officials to assess the current status of the Mekedatu project, the obstacles it faces, and the proposed path forward. He was emphatic that the project goes far beyond irrigation — framing it as central to the long-term drinking water security of Bengaluru and other major urban centres across Karnataka.

'Under no circumstances can the drinking water rights of the people of Karnataka and the interests of the state be ignored. At every stage of the project, legal and technical norms must be followed, and the process of obtaining the necessary approvals should be expedited,' he told officials.

Pending Approvals and Clearances

During the meeting, the minister sought a comprehensive status update covering the Detailed Project Report (DPR), approvals pending from the Union government, environmental and forest clearances, land acquisition, rehabilitation requirements, and the technical strategy to advance the project while protecting Karnataka's interests. Officials were instructed to prepare a detailed proposal mapping steps taken so far, approvals still outstanding, and measures needed in the next phase.

Cheluvarayaswamy also stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination and directed the Water Resources Department to maintain continuous communication with Union government bodies to effectively present Karnataka's position. Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta and other senior department officials attended the meeting.

Why Mekedatu Matters for Bengaluru

With Bengaluru's population expanding rapidly alongside other urban agglomerations in the state, the minister underscored that long-term water demand planning cannot be deferred. He argued that projects like Mekedatu must be evaluated not just for present needs but for the state's water requirements over the coming decades.

'Water is a basic necessity for people. When it comes to drinking water, public welfare is more important than political differences. The government will make every effort to protect the state's legal rights and take the Mekedatu project forward,' he said.

Time-Bound Action Plan Ordered

At the close of the meeting, Cheluvarayaswamy directed officials to formulate a clear, time-bound action plan identifying the project's current status, major pending issues, and the steps required to resolve them. The Water Resources Department has been asked to examine all technical and administrative aspects and submit a report on the next course of action at the earliest.

The meeting signals the Karnataka government's intent to inject fresh momentum into the long-pending Mekedatu project by accelerating legal and administrative processes — positioning it as a cornerstone of the state's urban drinking water strategy for decades ahead.