Mandya: Karnataka has identified 2,500 acres of alternative land, including forest land, to secure clearances for the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir across Cauvery, chief minister DK Shivakumar said Saturday, indicating that the project was moving towards implementation.The govt will upload details of the land on the forest clearance portal to obtain approvals. It is also preparing to acquire around 500 acres of private land from farmers for the project. “We will upload all the details of the land being provided, including the land particulars. Once we do that, they should grant the necessary permission,” Shivakumar said.A committee headed by the Mandya deputy commissioner is overseeing the process of identifying alternative land for the forest department. Officials have already held meetings, and the govt is identifying the remaining land required.He said the proposed reservoir would store 66 tmc ft of water, helping Karnataka manage water scarcity. The state is required to release 177 tmc of Cauvery water downstream. “At present, we keep receiving directions on how many cusecs of water we should release and when. The project will help us manage such situations,” he said.Shivakumar also rejected Union minister HD Kumaraswamy’s allegation that the govt was unwilling to provide land for the proposed Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) testing facility in Mandya. “We had initially offered to provide 100 acres. They (heavy industries department) have now said they need more land. We will certainly provide it,” he added.Farmers stage black flag protestShivakumar faced a black flag protest by Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha members in Mandya Saturday, with police detaining several protesters ahead of his arrival. Farmers were protesting over govt school protection, equal education and remunerative sugarcane prices.
About The Author
