Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, 12 June met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil at his New Delhi residence, pressing the Centre to expedite clearances for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project and a clutch of other water resources schemes critical to the state's irrigation and drinking water needs. The meeting came just nine days after Shivakumar assumed charge as Chief Minister on 3 June.

Mekedatu at the Centre of the Push

Chief Minister Shivakumar urged the Union government to fast-track clearance for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir, a long-contested project on the Cauvery river. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had dismissed Tamil Nadu's objections and review petition against the project, effectively leaving the decision on its permissibility to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC). Karnataka has argued that the project is essential for meeting Bengaluru's drinking water requirements and augmenting irrigation in the basin.

Other Water Projects on the Agenda

The Chief Minister raised several additional pending matters with the Union minister. He sought immediate gazette notification of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) award, noting that more than a decade had elapsed since the award was pronounced. The delay, he said, was hampering Karnataka's ability to implement the Upper Krishna Project Stage-III and fully utilise its allocated water share.

Shivakumar also flagged the delay in releasing ₹5,300 crore in Central assistance announced for the Upper Bhadra Project in the Union Budget 2023-24. Describing the scheme as vital for drought-prone central Karnataka, he said early disbursement would benefit lakhs of farmers in the region.

He further requested pending forest and wildlife clearances for the Kalasa and Bandura Nala projects in the Mahadayi basin, intended to address the drinking water needs of Hubballi-Dharwad. Though the Ministry of Jal Shakti had approved the projects in December 2022, environmental clearances remain outstanding.

Broader Water Resource Demands

Beyond individual projects, the Chief Minister sought early approval for Karnataka's pending proposals under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP). He also urged the Centre to ensure the state receives its equitable share under the National Water Development Agency's river-linking projects.

In his submission, Shivakumar stressed that Karnataka holds the second-largest dryland area in the country after Rajasthan, making water resource development central to transforming the state's agricultural output and boosting farmers' incomes.

High-Profile Delhi Engagements

The water resources meeting was part of a packed schedule for the newly sworn-in Chief Minister in the national capital. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar paid a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan — his first meeting with the President after assuming office. He also visited Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan at his residence. The Chief Minister was additionally scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah later in the day, signalling an intent to establish early working relationships with key Union government figures.

Timely approvals from the Centre, Shivakumar said, would help Karnataka optimise its water resources and improve the welfare of farmers across the state. How quickly the Union government responds will be an early test of Centre-state relations under the new Karnataka administration.