Karnataka's Makethadu Dam Project Amid Tamil Nadu Opposition The Karnataka government has submitted a revised project report for the Makethadu Dam, a key component of the Cauvery River management plan, despite opposition from Tamil Nadu. The project, estimated to cost ₹9 billion, aims to construct a 67.14 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) reservoir in the state's Mandya district. The initiative has sparked legal and administrative challenges, particularly due to its potential impact on water distribution between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The project's initial proposal was first submitted to the Central Water Commission (CWC) in 2018, but it faced scrutiny for conflicting with the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's rulings. The CWC directed Karnataka to submit a more detailed report, which was filed in 2019. However, this report was deemed inconsistent with the Supreme Court's earlier judgment on the Cauvery dispute, leading the CWC to return it for revisions. In April 2023, Karnataka resubmitted a revised report, incorporating adjustments to align with legal precedents. The updated proposal outlines the selection of 12,500 acres of forest land for the dam, which would require felling 8.90 lakh trees. The reservoir is projected to store 67.14 TMC of water, with 400 MW of hydroelectric power generation capacity. A portion of this water—4.5 TMC—is earmarked for Bengaluru's urban water supply. Karnataka's Water Resources Minister, Selvaraj, stated that the revised report has been resubmitted to the CWC and anticipates approval by the central government. He announced that the project's foundation stone would be laid in August 2027, emphasizing its role in addressing regional water scarcity.#karnataka #tamil_nadu #central_water_commission #cauvery_river #selvaraj
