Mekedatu, Upper Krishna projects will be implemented if Centre grants approval: Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar

BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, expressed confidence that the state will implement the pending Mekedatu and Upper Krishna projects if the Central government grants the necessary approvals.

"We are hopeful that the Centre will extend its cooperation," he said at the inaugural session of the International Dam Safety Conference held at the J.N. Tata Auditorium of the Indian Institute of Science here.

"You are all in Bengaluru, a city with a population of 1.5 crore. Industrialists from across the world are turning their attention to Bengaluru. The entire world views India through Bengaluru. Its climate and culture attract everyone. As more people wish to come here, the responsibility of supplying water to all rests on us. Therefore, we have moved forward with the construction of a balanced dam project in Mekedatu. Recently, the Supreme Court delivered a verdict in favour of this project. We are ready to implement it and are awaiting approval from the Central government. This project will provide drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding regions and help generate 400 MW of electricity,” he said.