Mekedatu project: Karnataka govt decided to submit revised DPR, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday clarified that the state government decided to submit a revised Detailed Project Report to the Centre for the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, following the Supreme Court’s order rejecting Tamil Nadu’s plea against it.
Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, had said on Tuesday that a "fresh" DPR would be sent to the central authorities.
"Not a new DPR. The existing one will be modified. Some objections were raised, and those need to be addressed before submission. Also, the project cost has changed compared to earlier. We will revise it accordingly. The rest we will leave to the central government," Shivakumar told reporters here.
His office later issued a clarification stating that the Karnataka government has decided to submit a revised DPR after updating the cost as per the current Schedule of Rates (2025-26 price level).
The previous DPR was prepared using the 2018-19 Schedule of Rates and submitted to the Central Water Commission (CWC) on January 18, 2019.
It had not been taken up for appraisal due to administrative and legal constraints. The way is now clear following the Supreme Court order dated November 13, 2025, the statement said.
On November 13, the Supreme Court rejected a plea by the Tamil Nadu government challenging Karnataka’s construction of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project, calling the petition "premature".
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria said the plan would be approved only after considering Tamil Nadu’s objections and the views of expert bodies—the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
Mekedatu is a proposed multi-purpose (drinking water and power) project involving the construction of a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district (now renamed Bengaluru South district).
Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, expressing fears that it would adversely affect the state.
According to officials, the project aims to provide 4.75 tmcft of drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas and can generate 400 MW of power once completed.
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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov meets PM Modi; exchanges views on Ukraine, West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia.
During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated India's consistent stand in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the best way forward.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said Lavrov briefed Modi on the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2025 at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
"Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Prime Minister exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia," the statement said.
Modi requested Lavrov to convey his warm greetings to Putin, it said.
Lavrov is here to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting.
