Can't release Cauvery water to TN, says Karnataka; plans to appeal
Minister says Karnataka, with just 46 TMC of usable water in Cauvery reservoirs, faces an acute water crisis unlike TN; CMs to meet on Aug 3
Karnataka's Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said the state's reservoirs hold barely enough water to meet drinking water needs, and that none can be released to Tamil Nadu at this time. He confirmed the government will immediately file an appeal with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), challenging the recent order issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
The CWRC has ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Protests have been witnessed across the state, especially in Bengaluru, Bengaluru South, Mysuru and Mandya districts against the order.
Also read: Karnataka ordered to release Cauvery water to TN; state to appeal, protests break out
In an exclusive interview with The Federal Karnataka, Reddy addressed the CWRC order, the state of Karnataka's reservoirs, the Mekedatu project, and allegations raised by opposition parties.
‘Where is water to share?’
Reddy acknowledged that the CWRC order caught the state off guard but said the government is prepared to contest it through legal channels. He said the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin currently hold 56 TMC of water, of which 10 TMC is dead storage — leaving only 46 TMC usable.
"From Kodagu to Bengaluru, we need at least 3.5 TMC of water every month just for drinking purposes," he said. "In that situation, where is the water to release to Tamil Nadu?"
Farmers needn’t protest, says minister
He added that senior officials have already been instructed to file the appeal before the CWMA, and that senior counsel Ramaiah, who has represented the state government before the Supreme Court and other authorities for the past 30 years, will argue the case once again.
Reddy pointed out that Tamil Nadu's Mettur reservoir still holds 40 TMC of water, and that the northeast monsoon is due to begin there soon, meaning the state faces no drinking water shortage of its own.
Also read: 'Keep Mekedatu separate, focus on Cauvery share now': Expert on upcoming Vijay-DKS talks
"When the government itself is appealing the decision to release water, there's no need for farmers or organisations in our state to protest," he said. "We've made it clear — we're appealing the order, not simply declaring 'we will not release water.'"
Court verdict on Mekedatu a big victory
On the Mekedatu project, Reddy called it a big victory for Karnataka, noting that courts have already clarified that the project does not require the neighbouring state's permission to proceed. He said minor revisions will be made to the project's Detailed Project Report (DPR) before it is resubmitted to the central government shortly.
Also read: CWRC order on TN’s Cauvery water quota sparks protests in Karnataka
"We will use only 4.75 TMC of water from Mekedatu for Bengaluru's drinking needs, and generate electricity from the project. The surplus water stored here will eventually flow to farmers in Tamil Nadu as well," he said. "If Tamil Nadu opposes this project, it would be doing injustice to its own farmers."
CMs to meet on August 3
He added that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is scheduled to meet Karnataka's Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on August 3, with further details to be shared by the chief minister."Water disputes dragged into court can take decades to resolve," Reddy said. "Whether it's Maharashtra, Goa, or Tamil Nadu, it's in everyone's interest to settle these matters amicably through dialogue between states."
