Karnataka Deputy CM Praises Mekedatu Project Benefits for Tamil Nadu Despite Opposition

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar noted that good rains helped both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the Mekedatu project's benefits for Tamil Nadu. Despite opposition, Shivakumar aims to complete the project during the Congress tenure. He also explored Chennai's waste management model for application in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that good rains have helped both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu this year. Speaking in Chennai, he emphasized that the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project would benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka but chose not to discuss further details at the moment.

Addressing concerns about Tamil Nadu's opposition to the project, Shivakumar explained that the Mekedatu project is designed to store 66 TMC of water and act as a balancing reservoir to aid water distribution to Tamil Nadu. He reiterated his commitment to completing the project during the Congress government's current tenure in Karnataka, despite resistance from Tamil Nadu's DMK government.

During his Chennai visit, Shivakumar studied the city's solid waste management strategies along with 15 officials. He praised Chennai's model, noting its successful generation of power from waste, and expressed intentions to implement similar practices in Bengaluru. Responding to allegations of irregularity in civic amenity site allotments, Shivakumar asserted that all procedures were legal and the allocations were made to trusts, not individuals. He mentioned plans to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin at a convenient time.

(With inputs from agencies.)