Bengaluru: The State Water Resources Department has written to the Central Water Commission (CWC) seeking permission for drinking water and hydroelectric projects.

It has submitted a detailed project report for the Rs 5,912 Crore project and has sought approval from CWC for the construction of 65 TMC reservoir at Mekedatu in Kanakapura taluk at a distance of 90 km from Bengaluru.

The project envisages on providing drinking water to Bengaluru and other nearby towns as well as 400 MW of power.

Tamil Nadu is opposing the project from the word go but the state contends that it plans to utilise additional water apart from 192 TMC water it has to release to the neighbouring state.

The state plans to utilise excess water ranging from 30 TMC to 260 TMC through this mega project, depending on the rainfall and storage levels.

Since the interstate water dispute is under the scanner of the Supreme Court, the state government has submitted a detailed report to the SC also.