Chennai: The Karnataka government will not allow Tamilnadu to use surplus water from the inter-state Cauvery river and will take strong measures to protect the state’s interests, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said, amid concerns regarding river interlinking project being undertaken by neighbouring state.
While the state government has decided to file objections before the Centre against the project, opposition parties in Karnataka-Congress and JD(S)-too opposed Tamilnadu’s move.
The Tamilnadu government recently laid the foundation for the first phase of the Rs 14,400 crore Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar river interlinking project, aimed at diverting over 6,000 cubic ft of surplus water to drier areas in southern districts.
“We will not allow it….there is no use by just giving statements, for no reason we will allow Tamilnadu or others to use surplus water, we will take strong measures, necessary measures are being taken,” Yediuyurappa said.
Asked whether he will be calling an all-party meeting on the issue, he said, “we have not thought about it yet”.
Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, who held a meeting with the state’s legal team on inter-state water dispute in Delhi, had said the state will apprise the Centre of its concern over Tamilnadu’s river interlinking project, which is aimed at utilising surplus Cauvery water.