In a major initiative Karnataka Government wants an amicable solution to the Makedatu  drinking water project on river Cauvery with its neighbour Tamil Nadu which has taken objection to the construction of the dam. Karnataka Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar justified the drinking water project by saying the state was on its right to construct and wanted Tamil Nadu to have an amicable solution to this project.

The water resources Minister has written a letter to TN Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami asking him to consider the project by finding an amicable solution. He said in the letter “The Government of Karnataka desires to have an amicable solution to the issue of Mekedatu balancing Reservoir cum drinking water Project.”

He said “You (TN Chief Minister) are aware that the  Cauvery  is the lifeline of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and is very sacred for the people of both the states. Governments and people of both the states desire to have a permanent solution on the issues pertaining to Cauvery”.

“This project will also help in regulating the releases in such a judicious manner that the excess water during good monsoon is not allowed to flow from the  Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu into the sea unnecessarily as has happened during the current year,” the letter said.

“It appears that some misconceptions about the proposed project have occurred in the minds of the Government of people of Tamil Nadu, though the actual reality of the project is different,” the letter reads.  He has also sought time from the TN Chief Minister to discuss the project at a convenient time.