Panel to probe allegations of unauthorised construction in Mekedatu

A joint committee has been appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone to look into allegations of unauthorised construction activity taking place in Mekedatu, where the Karnataka government had proposed to construct a dam across the Cauvery River.

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Acting suo motu based on a media report, the NGT has directed the panel to submit a report on or before July 5.

The Mekedatu multi-purpose project involves building a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in Ramanagaram district.

It envisages supplying drinking water to Bengaluru and Ramanagaram districts, besides generation of power.

The project was conceived in 2013 and in 2017, the Karnataka state cabinet decided to implement it. The project, however, ran into a controversy after Tamil Nadu opposed it on the grounds that the project violates the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award.