CHENNAI: Reiterating Tamil Nadu’s stand on Karnataka’s Mekedatu Dam project, TN Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan on Wednesday said the state will oppose the project in all possible ways.
Responding to news reports of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s assertion that the project will be completed, Duraimurugan said his state will oppose it.
“News reports state that Karnataka’s Minister for Water Resources, D K Shivakumar, is all set to complete the Mekedatu Dam project. It is surprising to hear that within a few days of assuming power, Shivakumar makes a move to ruffle neighbouring states. I think he wasn’t informed well regarding the Mekedatu project. There was no mention of the Mekedatu dam issue in the judgments of the Supreme Court and Cauvery Water Management Authority. Mekedatu and other unauthorised constructions will affect Tamil Nadu, so it is not welcomed by anyone”, he said.
He further said that he will soon meet Shivakumar in person and hold discussions on the issue in detail. “Tamil Nadu will oppose Karnataka’s Mekedatu Dam project in all possible ways. I think his officials may not have properly briefed Shivakumar on the Mekedatu project. I hope I will get a chance to meet him in person very soon so that we can discuss this issue in detail. I hope the honourable minister, Shivakumar, will stay patient until then”, Duraimurugan added.
Shivakumar has asked Irrigation Department officials to prioritise the Mekedatu Dam project, which has been a bone of contention between the two states. (ANI)