Centre Gives Conditional Green Light to Mekedatu Project, Says Union Minister V Somanna

New Delhi – In a press conference that felt part‑politics and part‑policy, Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna told reporters the centre has no objection to Karnataka’s long‑standing Mekedatu project. But, he warned, that nod comes with a catch – the Detailed Project Report (DPR) must be amended to iron out a few technical glitches.

Speaking after an all‑party gathering on the Cauvery water dispute, Somanna said the meeting, convened by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, was an “honest attempt” to untangle a knotty, decades‑old issue. He added that nature seemed to be on the states’ side this August, with decent rains easing the pressure on the river.

“The Government of India has made its position clear within its jurisdiction,” Somanna explained. “We have already flagged the technical points that need attention. Once those are sorted, there’s nothing else to hold back the project.” He went on to note that Karnataka is still debating how much of the water from the proposed balancing reservoir should be earmarked for drinking versus other uses.

On the Tamil Nadu side, the conversation is still evolving. The state needs to decide how the water will be split among drinking needs, the first crop and the second crop. Somanna stressed that these discussions, though complex, are essential and that the chief minister’s leadership in steering them is “appropriate.”

The backdrop to all this is the bitter Cauvery water dispute, a recurring flashpoint between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over how the river’s flow is shared, especially in lean years. Tamil Nadu has historically opposed the Mekedatu scheme, fearing it could choke downstream flow. Karnataka, for its part, argues the reservoir will boost drinking‑water supplies and help regulate water availability.

Somanna’s statement, however, underscores a subtle shift. While the centre is not outright rejecting the project, it is insisting on correcting the DPR – a sign that the federal government wants the initiative to be technically sound and politically palatable.

In short, the Mekedatu project isn’t dead; it’s just on a short‑term pause while the paperwork gets its house in order. Meanwhile, the broader Cauvery talks continue, with both states hoping to avoid the mistakes of the past and find a sustainable, mutually‑acceptable way forward.