Fri Dec 05 15:11:39 UTC 2025: News Article:

Mekedatu Dam Project Stalled as Feasibility Remains Unproven, Says CWMA Chairman

THANJAVUR, India – December 5, 2025 – The proposed Mekedatu reservoir project in Karnataka faces significant hurdles as the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) Chairman, S.K. Haldar, stated on Friday that its techno-commercial feasibility is “yet to be established.” Haldar made the comments after inspecting the Kallanai (Grand Anicut) in Thanjavur district as part of a broader inspection of Cauvery River structures.

According to Haldar, the project file has been returned to the Central Water Commission (CWC). “The Karnataka government has proposed this project, but… whether it is fit to be taken up for investment is yet to be established,” Haldar told reporters. “Only if those aspects are established can we say whether the project will come up or not. At this stage, these things are yet to be finalised.”

Earlier in the day, P.R. Pandian, President of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers’ Organisations Co-ordination Committee, met with Haldar to urge the CWMA to formally reject Karnataka’s draft Mekedatu dam proposal. Pandian argued that the dam would negatively impact downstream irrigation in Tamil Nadu and reiterated the demand for a check dam in Rasimanal to prevent surplus water from flowing into the sea. He also requested that the CWMA not discuss the Mekedatu issue at its upcoming meeting on December 8.

Summary of the Text:

This news article reports on the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) Chairman’s statement that the proposed Mekedatu dam project in Karnataka is stalled because its techno-commercial feasibility has not been established. The CWMA Chairman made the comments during an inspection of Cauvery River structures in Tamil Nadu. A farmers’ organization leader also met with the CWMA Chairman to urge the formal rejection of the dam proposal, citing negative impacts on downstream irrigation and requesting the construction of a check dam. He also requested that the Mekedatu issue not be discussed at the upcoming CWMA meeting.

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