The 'Mekedatu Dam' is proposed to be built by ________ across _______ River.

The correct answer is Karnataka, Cauvery.

Key Points

• The 'Mekedatu Dam' is proposed to be built by Karnataka across the Cauvery River.
• The Mekedatu dam project is a proposed multi-purpose project by the state of Karnataka in India.
• It envisions the construction of a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River near Mekedatu.
• Mekedatu is located in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka, close to the border with Tamil Nadu.
• The primary stated purposes of the dam are to provide drinking water to the Bengaluru metropolitan area and to generate hydroelectric power.
• The project is planned at the confluence of the Cauvery River and its tributary, the Arkavathi River.
• The estimated cost of the project is around ₹9,000 crore.
• However, the Mekedatu dam project has faced significant opposition, primarily from the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu argues that the construction of the dam will impede the natural flow of the Cauvery River.
• As a lower riparian state, Tamil Nadu relies heavily on the Cauvery River for irrigation and drinking water needs.
• Tamil Nadu contends that the project is being undertaken without the necessary consent from the lower riparian state, violating established principles of inter-state river water sharing.
• The state of Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court of India to oppose the project, citing concerns about its impact on the agricultural community and water supply within the state.
• Karnataka, on the other hand, maintains that the project is within its rights and is essential to meet the growing water demands of Bengaluru.
• Karnataka also argues that the dam will help in regulating the flow of the river and prevent the wastage of water.
• The Cauvery River water sharing has been a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court issuing various orders and verdicts over the years to allocate water among the riparian states.
• The Mekedatu dam issue adds another layer of complexity to this already contentious inter-state water dispute.