Bengaluru: In a major victory for the Karnataka government, the Central Water Commission has directed Karnataka to furnish a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the Mekedatu drinking and hydro project.

According to sources, the Commission expressed its satisfaction with the preliminary report submitted by the state government in the year 2016.

The Mekedatu project has been proposed across the river Cauvery in Mekedatu of the Kanakapura taluk in the Ramanagar district. The Tamil Nadu government has been objecting to the project since day one, stating that it is against the Cauvery tribunal verdict.

“This project will submerge forest land of over 4,400 hectares. So, the forest department may not give its permission. But, in the interest of the state, the government is going ahead with the project,” informed sources.

“66 TMC of water can be stored in this dam. The proposed project cost is Rs.5,500 cores,” he added.