Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D K Shivakumar on Tuesday urged the Centre to grant approvals for the Mekedatu project and also release the pending funds for the various irrigation projects in the state.
“The Jal Shakthi ministry must direct the Central Water Commission to grant approval for the long-pending Mekedatu project on priority as the project will not only help meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru city and generate 400 MW of power but also enable Karnataka to release the specified monthly quantum of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu,” said Shivakumar, in his speech at the second All India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025 themed ‘India@2047 – A water secure nation’ being held at Udaipur in Rajasthan.
Shivakumar, who is also the water resources minister sought the release of Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project, which was announced by the Centre in the 2023-24 Union budget, stating it would help the drought-affected Central Karnataka region.
Referring to the delay in implementation of the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal (KWDT-II) award, Shivakumar urged the Centre to move the Supreme Court seeking modification of its order dated 16.09.2011 and subsequently issue a gazette notification of the 2010 Award to enable Karnataka to use its allocated share of water.
He also urged the Jal Shakti Ministry to impress upon the Environment Ministry to direct the National Board for Wildlife to give requisite clearances to the Kalasa Nala scheme related to the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal that pronounced its award in August 2018.
Pointing out that the current allocation proposed for Karnataka in the Godavari-Cauvery Link Project under Inter Linking of Rivers Scheme stands at a "meagre" 15.891 TMC (10.74 %), Shivakumar suggested the National Water Development Agency re-visit the State-wise provisions related to the irrigation water use and allocate the rightful share to Karnataka on the principle of equity and equitable apportionment basis.
Drawing attention to the growing challenges facing cities and agriculture in India, the minister said, "Our country has 18% of the world’s population, but only 4% of the world's freshwater reserves. This mismatch will create significant challenges going forward and hence we must be prepared to supply water to our growing cities and agricultural needs."
Emphasising the need to strengthen India’s water resource capabilities to ensure robust economic growth, he said, "India, currently, has a water storage capacity of 253 billion cubic meters. We are already witnessing serious competition for water among consumer segments."
Highlighting Karnataka’s water resources reforms, Shivakumar said, "Karnataka has rolled out many reforms in the water resources space. In August 2024, we amended the Karnataka Irrigation Act 1965 to prevent illegal tapping of water and to ensure water reaches the tail end of canals. The amendment also has a provision for establishing an Irrigation Court. It also delegates civil court-like powers to Irrigation officers to conduct inquiries and enforce the laws better. It allows for the formation of a task force with the police for better enforcement."
Calling for a new and comprehensive water legislation, Shivakumar stated there was a need to consolidate the existing laws governing the water sector and establish new administrative bodies with the requisite mandates, powers, authorities, staff and resources.
"To facilitate water security and optimal utilisation of the country’s water resources for health, food, energy, environment and other societal purposes, we need to consolidate existing legislations or formulate a new legislation covering the entire water sector. Currently, there are 29 different legislations, including 14 central acts and 15 state level acts. The current times demand development and adoption of new standard operating procedures (SOPs) in terms of approaches, methodologies, techno-managerial aspects, tools and practices to streamline the processes," he noted.
