Lok Sabha Question No. 209 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-03
Subject: Construction of Mekedatu Dam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar, M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *209

ANSWERED ON 03.08.2023

## CONSTRUCTION OF MEKEDATU DAM

| *209                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | DR. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR SHRI M. SELVARAJ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil | Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the fact that Government of Karnataka is on the process of construction of Mekedatu Dam on the Cauvery river and if so, whether the Ministry has accorded its approval for the same; (b) whether the Union Government has received any representation from the Government of Tamil |
| of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | of Karnataka;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (c) if so, the details thereof; and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (d) the action being taken or proposed to be taken by the Union                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | of Government of Tamil Nadu?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | ANSWER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | (a)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *209 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2023 REGARDING 'CONSTRUCTION OF MEKEDATU DAM'.

(a) Feasibility Report (FR) of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project, Karnataka was submitted to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for "in principle" clearance for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR). CWC accorded 'in-principle' clearance on 24.10.2018 for preparation of DPR by project  proponent  authority  (Government  of  Karnataka) subject  to  certain conditions  which inter  alia  include:  "As  the  main  objective  of  this  scheme  as  stated  in  the  FR  is  to  implement  the Cauvery  Water  Dispute  Tribunal  (CWDT)  Award  as  modified  by  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court, acceptance  of  Cauvery  Water  Management  Authority  (CWMA)  would  be  a  pre-requisite  for consideration of the DPR by the Advisory Committee of MoWR, RD & GR".

Subsequently, the DPR of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was submitted by Government of Karnataka to CWC in January 2019 and the DPR was referred to CWMA. Discussion on this DPR was included as an agenda item during various meetings of the CWMA. In the 18th meeting of CWMA held on 02.12.2022, after deliberations, it was decided that the CWMA will take a uniform stand for taking up discussions on the Mekedatu project as well as any other project in Cauvery Basin, till the Hon'ble Supreme Court gives a decision on the I.A. 84201 of 2022 filed by the State of Tamil Nadu.

(b) & (c) A letter dated 29.10.2022 from the Hon'ble Minister for Water Resources, Government of Tamil Nadu was received, requesting Hon'ble Minister (Jal Shakti), Government of India to advise the Cauvery  Water  Management  Authority  not  to  include  the  Mekedatu  project  proposal  issue  in  the agenda of its ensuing meeting, as the matter is sub-judice. Another letter dated 02.11.2022 from Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu of a similar nature was also received.

(d) Government of Tamil Nadu has been apprised of the decision taken by CWMA in its 18th meeting held on 02.12.2022 mentioned in reply to part (a) above.

*****