Bengaluru, 12 Dec

The State Government has issued an order forming a dedicated team under Karnataka Engineering Research Station (KERS) Director KG Mahesh to fast-track the Mekedatu project following what it described as a “favourable” Supreme Court order. 

The Government Order, dated 11 December, shared with the media on Friday, states that the new committee will include the Deputy Chief Engineer and other KERS staff, operating from a project office to be established in Ramanagara.

The decision follows a meeting held on 18 November under Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, where officials resolved to set up an office of the Superintending Engineer exclusively for Mekedatu. As formal finance approvals for staffing and infrastructure are pending, the responsibility has been temporarily assigned to the KERS Director.

According to the order, the team will include an executive engineer, three technical assistants, six assistant engineers, a superintendent, an accountant and other support staff. Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) has been tasked with setting up the project office and covering administrative expenses. CNNL’s Director has also been instructed to transfer all relevant project documents to KERS.

On 13 November, the SC dismissed Tamil Nadu’s plea against Mekedatu as “premature,” noting that final clearance would follow inputs from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee and the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The Mekedatu balancing reservoir is designed to supply drinking water to the Bengaluru region and generate about 400 MW of power.