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Karnataka CM has offered to discuss with Tamil Nadu, the implementation of Mekedatu Project across River Cauvery.

About Mekedatu Project

Mekedatu is a location along Kaveri in the border of Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara Districts in Karnataka.
Karnataka intends to build a reservoir across River Cauvery near Mekedatu.
The dam is proposed to have a capacity of 48 TMC feet (thousand million cubic) and is estimated to cost Rs 6,000 crore.
It was first proposed in 2003 with an intention:
- To use the water for a hydro power station (400 MW) and
- Supply drinking water to Bengaluru city.
At Mekedatu, the Kaveri runs through a deep, narrow ravine of hard granite rock.

Tamil Nadu has all along strongly opposed the project and approached the Supreme Court as well.
Its argument is that any dam proposal by upper riparian states in the Cauvery basin would deprive the state’s delta farmers of their rightful share of water as per the top court verdict.
Tamil Nadu contends that the proposed dam violates the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, which determined the water-sharing arrangements between the two states.

The Cauvery River, also spelled as ‘Kaveri’ and known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil, originates from Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range located in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.
It spans approximately 800 km, traversing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, until it eventually discharges in the Bay of Bengal.
The river’s catchment area covers regions in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
Key tributaries that join the Cauvery include Harangi, Hemavati, Kabini, Suvarnavathi, and Bhavani.
Cauvery remains perennial due to its dual reliance on both advancing and retreating monsoons for rainfall.

Ensuring adequate flow to TN: Karnataka argues that the construction of the Mekedatu dam will not hinder the stipulated quantum of water release to Tamil Nadu nor be utilized for irrigation purposes.
Allocation of funds and willingness to negotiate: The Karnataka government has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for the project, indicating its commitment. It also expresses willingness to engage in discussions and negotiations with Tamil Nadu to address concerns and find a resolution.
Clearance of feasibility study: The Central Water Commission cleared a feasibility study for the Mekedatu project in 2018, providing additional support for Karnataka’s justifications and indicating the project’s viability.

[2016] Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken?

(a) Cauvery and Tungabhadra

(b) Godavari and Krishna

(d) Narmada and Tapti