Iron rods erected in Mekedatu for dam survey, says P.R. Pandian

Iron rods have been erected between the rocky terrain at Mekedatu as precursor to the survey works for the proposed dam, said P.R. Pandian, general secretary of the Tamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam, alleging that the Karnataka government was acting in stealth in Mekedatu.

He led a team to Mekedatu to inspect the site and returned with allegations that Karnataka was also opening up the site for tourists to weaken its pristine wildlife corridor.Speaking to the media in Hosur, Mr. Pandian said the proposal to build the dam is right at the site in Mekedatu where the River Cauvery is poised to enter Tamil Nadu, barely 4 km from its source in the hills.

As part of the preliminary works, steps have been built at a drop of 150 ft at the river level. In addition, Karnataka has erected iron rods as survey markers in between the rocks. According to Mr.

Pandian, while the forested site with its elephant and tiger movement was not open to tourists, now the Karnataka government is making a deliberate attempt to open up the site for tourists lending a justification to a dam.Special buses were ferrying tourists from the site of the confluence of Rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi at Sangamam 1000 kms below, and 10 kms off Kanakapura-Bengaluru National Highway, said Mr.Pandian.

The farmers association leader also demanded that the Tamil Nadu government move a contempt petition against the Karnataka government for its alleged lies that the Supreme Court had dismissed off the Tamil Nadu’s objections to the proposed Mekedatu project.Further, he also slammed the Tamil Nadu Congress Committe, stating that instead of claiming from Chennai that it would not allow the laying of a single brick for a dam in Mekedatu, the party members must go down to Mekedatu and witness what is happening. Published - July 06, 2026 07:46 pm IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit READ LATER SEE ALL Remove