Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is preparing to file a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging directions issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy said.
Speaking at a book launch event in Bengaluru, the minister said an application had already been filed before the Supreme Court and officials were working on preparing a detailed review petition to present the state’s arguments effectively.
On the Mekedatu project, Chaluvarayaswamy said all related proposals had been submitted to the Central Water Commission (CWC). Around 2,500 hectares of land had been identified, while the process of identifying the remaining 2,500 hectares was nearing completion.
He clarified that approval of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) was separate from the forest clearances required for implementation. The state was pressing the Centre to approve the DPR without further delay.
Expressing concern over the delay, he said the Centre was aware of the Supreme Court’s observations but had yet to take the necessary decision.
The minister also urged BJP MPs from Karnataka to support the state’s drinking water requirements and the Mekedatu project, irrespective of political differences.
He said the government would consult senior engineers and experts familiar with the Cauvery dispute to accelerate the implementation of irrigation projects in the state.