Bengaluru, 14 November (H.S.): Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has asserted that the Mekedatu project is Karnataka's right and that implementing it in accordance with the Supreme Court's order is the responsibility of the state government. He said Karnataka would construct the dam and supply water to Tamil Nadu as well. Instead of opposing the project, Tamil Nadu leaders should visit with a delegation, and he is ready to explain the benefits of the project to them.

Speaking to the media at the Vidhana Soudha premises on Saturday, Shivakumar was responding to opposition to the Mekedatu project from Tamil Nadu Congress president Manickam Tagore and other leaders in the state.

He said Tamil Nadu should understand that Mekedatu is Karnataka's right, regardless of who opposes it. If a delegation visits, he is prepared to take its members to the proposed dam site and explain the project in detail. Politics is being played around the issue, he said, adding that if the Congress does not oppose it, the DMK will, and if the DMK does not, the AIADMK will. However, this is not a political issue, and everyone must respect the law of the country and the Supreme Court's order.

Shivakumar said the Supreme Court has clearly recognised Tamil Nadu's entitlement to 177 TMC of water. Supplying Tamil Nadu its due share is Karnataka's responsibility, just as protecting the state's own rights is equally important. He reiterated that Karnataka would build the dam and provide water to Tamil Nadu, and expressed readiness to discuss the project without affecting Tamil Nadu's interests.

He also said the Centre had asked the state to provide alternative land for the forest area that would be submerged by the project. Apart from this requirement, the project would be built within Karnataka's territory and is a state project.

Centre urged to grant necessary clearances

Shivakumar said he had urged the Central Government to grant the necessary clearances from the Forest and Environment departments for implementing the Mekedatu project. All political parties have expressed support for the project, and the process of submitting the required documents is under way. The state government is ready to take the project forward once the necessary approvals are secured.

Political competition, cooperation in development

Asked about his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's visit to Karnataka, Shivakumar said political parties could compete in politics but should cooperate on development issues. While political differences would continue, securing the Centre's cooperation for the state's development was the government's responsibility.

He said he had also urged the Centre to reject the Kasturirangan report. Regarding metro projects, he had sought equal partnership between the Central and state governments and requested the formation of a technical committee to examine the issue.

The state aims to expand Bengaluru's metro network to 500 km in the coming phases. He has also requested the Centre to expedite approval of pending metro project proposals, he added.

Centre briefed on Double-Decker Flyover

Shivakumar said he had explained the need for Bengaluru's Double-Decker Flyover project to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, in view of the Centre's opposition to the proposal.

He pointed out that roads account for only 8 per cent of Bengaluru's total area, compared to 18 to 20 per cent in other cities. The government may have to pay compensation of around Rs. 50,000 per square foot in the city, making it difficult for the state government to bear the entire project cost on its own.

Therefore, the Centre and the state should jointly share the expenditure and implement the Double-Decker Flyover project, he said. He added that he had also proposed bringing an all-party delegation to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister, who had agreed to the proposal.

Shivakumar said he was working as a representative of Karnataka to protect the state's interests, and that others were free to interpret his actions as they wished.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Rakesh Mahadevappa