Congress will insist on early implementation of Mekedatu drinking water project in Kaveri
Congress will start a padyatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru on January 9 to press for early implementation of Mekedatu drinking water project in Cauvery.
The 10-day padyatra, which will culminate in Bengaluru, will cover a distance of around 170 km and 15 assembly constituencies.
The Mekedatu project was conceived in 1968. It is envisaged to plant 66 TMC (one thousand million cubic feet) of water and generate 440 MW of electricity. While in 2013 it cost ₹5,912 crore, in 2018 this figure was revised to ₹9,500 crore.
“Since there is no case pending in the Supreme Court and the project has been approved by the National Green Tribunal, there is no reason to delay it. BJP is not committed to any irrigation project including UKP, Upper Bhadra, Yatinahole and Mahadayi. discussed. Once implemented, the project is expected to benefit a population of about 2.5 crore in 10 districts apart from easing the pressure on other reservoirs in the Cauvery basin. “At present, only 30% of Bengaluru is getting Cauvery water. The project will help in addressing the drinking water crisis in Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts. Tamil Nadu will benefit more than Karnataka.
Terming the padyatra for ‘Namma Neeru Namma Hakku’ (Our water is our right), he said organisations, associations and NGOs from across Karnataka have been invited to join the padyatra. When asked whether the Janata Dal (Secular) would be invited, he said, “We will not invite those who do not come.”
KPCC president DK Shivakumar said the 10-day padyatra from Mekedatu will pass through Kanakapura, Ramanagaram and Bidadi before terminating in Bengaluru. “We have chosen such routes which will have a double road to prevent any inconvenience to the public. The padyatra will culminate at either Basavanagudi or Freedom Park in Bengaluru. He said that anyone from all over Karnataka can join the padyatra.
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