Bengaluru, July 29: Senior sources have confirmed that preparations are underway for a high-level bilateral meeting between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments regarding the Cauvery water dispute. This meeting is scheduled for August 3 at 2 PM at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. However, no official statement has been issued yet.
The meeting will take place in the conference hall located on the third floor of Vidhana Soudha. Attendees are expected to include Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, along with ministers and senior officials from both states.
According to official sources, extensive preparations are being made at the venue, including cleaning, lighting, and air conditioning checks, as well as floor renovations before the event.
Seating arrangements for approximately 25 individuals have been made, which will include the chief ministers, ministers, representatives, and senior officials from both states.
Officials have also been instructed to display the official emblems and flags of both states in the conference hall for this occasion.
This meeting is significant as it marks the first direct dialogue between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments on the Cauvery issue in over a decade.
The last such meeting between the two chief ministers took place in November 2012 in Bengaluru, where attempts were made to resolve the water-sharing dispute, but no agreement was reached.
This dialogue follows a letter sent by Chief Minister Shivakumar to Chief Minister Vijay last week, expressing a desire to discuss the Cauvery issue.
The developments come amid rising tensions over water sharing between the two southern states.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Authority (CWRA) directed Karnataka on Tuesday to release water to Tamil Nadu, despite Karnataka facing severe water shortages due to below-average monsoon rainfall.
Adding to the tensions, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. He reiterated concerns about its potential impact on water availability in lower regions.
Despite these differences, preparations in Bengaluru continue, with both governments ready to engage in discussions to reach a consensus on contentious issues like water sharing and the Mekedatu project.
Sources indicate that the bilateral meeting is expected to focus on ensuring equitable water distribution, addressing Karnataka’s concerns regarding drinking water needs, and discussing further actions regarding the Mekedatu project.
With water levels in reservoirs across the Cauvery basin declining and a looming water scarcity crisis in Karnataka, all eyes are on the August 3 meeting. It is seen as a crucial step towards resuming dialogue between the states over one of India’s most contentious river disputes.
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