Chennai: Reiterating his stand that a new dam at Mekedatu across river Cauvery would be constructed, Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar today said it would be constructed after getting all clearances from the Centre to address the drinking water needs of the people.
Shivakumar is in the city to call on 111-year-old Siddhaganga seer, who underwent a surgery here yesterday.
Talking to reporters at the airport, before leaving for Bengaluru, he said Karnataka was determined and committed in constructing the dam at Mekedatu to store 57 tmc ft of water.
“Only after getting all clearances from the Centre, we will construct the dam at Mekedatu,” he added.
Inviting leaders of all parties in Tamilnadu with folded hands to visit the dam site, he said construction of a new dam at Mekedatu would in no way affect flow of Cauvery waters to Tamilnadu.
Asserting that Karnataka does not want adopt a confrontationist attitude with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, he said Tamilnadu was a brother State.
“A large number of our bothers are living in Tamilnadu,” he added.
He also said Karnataka would not violate the Supreme Court and said the Centre has not given the nod to construct the dam, but only to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Shivakumar also promised that the water to be stored at Mekdeatu would not be used for irrigation.
Stating that Tamilnadu would be more beneficial than Karnataka with the construction of new dam At Mekedatu, he hoped that once the DPR was prepared, Tamilnadu would understand about it as the dam was meant to prevent surplus waters, which could not be used by both the State, from being let into the sea.