World · India Bureau
Karnataka to harness 66 TMC water via Mekedatu project, boost Bengaluru supply
Karnataka has identified 2,500 acres of alternative land for the Mekedatu dam project, which aims to store 66 TMC of water and generate 400 MW of hydroelectric power. Bengaluru is expected to receive an additional 4.75 TMC of drinking water from the initiative.
LSN India ·
The Karnataka government has cleared an alternate land parcel spanning 2,500 acres for the proposed Mekedatu hydroelectric project, a key infrastructure initiative designed to address the state's water and power demands. The multi-purpose dam project will create a reservoir capable of storing 66 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water, significantly enhancing water availability across the region.
The project is positioned as a critical intervention for water-stressed Bengaluru, with planners allocating 4.75 TMC of the stored water specifically for the city's drinking water supply. This allocation aims to bolster the capital's water security amid growing urban consumption and climate-related variability.
Beyond water supply, the Mekedatu project is designed to generate 400 MW of hydroelectric power, adding renewable energy capacity to Karnataka's grid. The identification of alternative land addresses prior concerns about land acquisition and is expected to expedite project implementation.
The Mekedatu dam has long been envisioned as a transformative infrastructure project for southern India. The initiative combines water management, hydropower generation, and irrigation benefits, though it also requires coordination between Karnataka and neighboring Tamil Nadu regarding interstate water-sharing protocols.