Can’t release water, Karnataka tells Cauvery body

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka has asked the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to reconsider the demand to release water to Tamil Nadu, citing a massive shortfall in inflows to Karnataka’s dams.

“Karnataka will not be able to release any water from its reservoirs so as to reach Biligundlu except that would be contributed from the uncontrolled catchment. So, an occasion has arisen for the authority to have a reconsideration of the directions of the committee,” Karnataka’s representatives told CWMA's during the body’s 28th meeting held on Thursday.

Biligundlu is the water measuring station in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu.

“The shortfall in cumulative inflows to Karnataka’s four reservoirs from 01.06.2023 to 29.01.2024 is 52.44 per cent,” he added.

The Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) in its 92nd meeting dated January 18 had directed Karnataka to ensure the realization of stipulated quantities of flows at Biligundlu as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award as modified by the Supreme Court for the remaining period of January 2024 and February 2024.

Push for Mekedatu

Karnataka also asked the CWMA to consider the permissibility of the Mekedatu multi-purpose project and take appropriate projects for the same.

Mekedatu project envisages building a 67 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMCFT) dam across Cauvery with the objective of having a buffer stock, produce electricity and provide drinking water to Bengaluru city.