H D Kumaraswamy positive about Centre’s approval of Mekedatu project

Bengaluru:Kumaraswamy’s optimism stemmed from his meeting with Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday which made him confident that the Central Water Commission will sanction the Mekedatu project. The two discussed several matters, including the project, issuing a government order on the Mahadayi tribunal verdict and funds to mend national highways passing through Karnataka.“I explained in detail — with documents — how this project (Mekedatu) will help both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. I am confident the Centre will sanction permission,” 

The Mekedatu project foresees to building a 66.5 tmc ft capacity reservoir across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and parts of Mysuru district.

Kumaraswamy said Karnataka has already released 346 tmc ft of water to Tamil Nadu this year, of which 200 tmc ft has flown into the sea. “If we had built a reservoir and stored this extra water, both states could have used it next year,” he said.Kumaraswamy said Gadkari had reverted positively to his request to issue a government order executing the Mahadayi tribunal’s verdict. This will make the way for Karnataka to draw its share of water. “Until the Union government notifies the tribunal’s verdict and issues a GO (government order), we can’t use water from Kalasa and Banduri streams. So I have requested Gadkari to take steps,” the CM said.

Rs 250 cr for road restoration: Kumaraswamy recommended Gadkari, who is also Union transport minister, to provide Rs 250 crore to repair national highways in the state spoiled due to floods and landslides.The CM said around 512 km of highways have been damaged and it would cost Rs 781 crore to rebuild.No deadline for details on loan waiver Allaying fears of farmers that they will be contradict loan waiver benefits if they fail to submit forms within a certain time limit, Kumaraswamy said there is no deadline to fill forms.“The government has not set any deadline for farmers to fill forms,” he said. “So you (farmers) don’t panic. You take your own time.”

He conveyed confidence that President Ram Nath Kovind will give accept to the debt relief bill in eight to 10 days after which private money lenders, who harass farmers by quoting excessive interest rates, will be reined in.