Mekedatu project: Fresh DPR to be submitted to authorities at centre, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said that a fresh Detailed Project Report on Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project across the Cauvery river would be submitted to the authorities at the centre following the Supreme Court order calling Tamil Nadu's objection as premature.
Shivakumar, who is in charge of water resources portfolio said this after a meeting with officials and Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Board of Directors, chaired by CM Siddaramaiah.
"In the meeting, we discussed how to take the project forward post the Supreme Court order. We need to submit a fresh DPR wherein we will provide details of the forest area getting submerged. We have started the project office in Harobele and decided to open the office of Chief Engineer and CCF at Ramanagara. Required staff would be given to these offices," Shivakumar told reporters here.
Asked if a new DPR needs to be submitted to the Cauvery Water Management Authority, he said, "We will make necessary corrections and submit a fresh one. We will submit it to the authorities required as per the law."
The Supreme Court had last week rejected a plea by the Tamil Nadu government against construction of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project across the Cauvery river by Karnataka, terming it "premature" .
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria said the plan would be approved only after considering the objections of the State as well as the opinion of the expert bodies, Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
"At this stage, what is being done by the order passed by the CWC is only permitting the preparation of the DPR, that too after taking into consideration the objections of the State of Tamil Nadu, the experts of the CWMA and CWRC," Supreme Court's order said.
Mekedatu is a multi-purpose (drinking water and power) project proposed by Karnataka, which involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district (now renamed as Bengaluru South district).
Tamil Nadu has been opposing the project, raising apprehensions that the state would be affected if the project takes shape. The project, once completed, is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 tmcft); it also can generate 400 MW power, according to officials.
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India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
