The Karnataka government has announced it will submit a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the contentious Mekedatu drinking water project, according to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The move comes as the state seeks to update the project's financial calculations to reflect current economic conditions.
Why the Revised DPR Became Necessary
The original detailed project report was prepared using the schedule of rates from 2018-19 and had been submitted to the Central Water Commission on January 18, 2019. However, with significant time having passed since the initial submission, the state government determined that the cost estimates required updating to account for changes in material costs, labor rates, and other economic factors that have evolved over the intervening years.
Deputy CM Shivakumar, who also handles the water resources portfolio, clarified that the revision is primarily focused on financial aspects rather than fundamental changes to the project's technical specifications or design. The original DPR had outlined a comprehensive plan for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River, which aims to address drinking water needs for Bengaluru and surrounding regions while also generating hydroelectric power.
Project Background and Current Status
The Mekedatu project has been a long-standing priority for Karnataka, though it has faced opposition from neighboring Tamil Nadu due to concerns about water sharing from the Cauvery River. The proposed reservoir is intended to be located in Ramanagara district, approximately 100 kilometers from Bengaluru, and is designed to store 67.16 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water.
The state government's decision to prepare a revised DPR indicates its continued commitment to moving the project forward despite the delays and controversies that have surrounded it. By updating the cost structure to reflect current market rates, Karnataka aims to present a more accurate and realistic financial picture to the Central Water Commission and other regulatory bodies involved in the approval process.
Next Steps and Implications
With the revised DPR in preparation, the state government is expected to submit the updated document to the Central Water Commission in the coming months. This submission will represent Karnataka's latest effort to advance the project through the necessary regulatory channels and secure the required clearances.
The timing of this announcement suggests the government is making a renewed push to address Bengaluru's growing water security concerns, particularly as the city continues to expand and face periodic water shortages. The revised cost estimates will also provide a more current basis for discussions about funding arrangements and implementation timelines once approvals are secured.
As the process moves forward, all stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the updated project details are received by both central authorities and neighboring states with interests in the Cauvery River basin.
