Karnataka can only wish, but does not have the authority, to construct a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu, Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan said on Sunday.
He was responding to a question from mediapersons on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s claim that Karnataka could build the dam. Mr. Duraimurugan said that as a lower riparian State, Tamil Nadu has the right to oppose any such move by Karnataka. “For politics, they [Karnataka] may make such statements. However, we [Tamil Nadu] will never allow the construction of the dam at Mekedatu,” he said.
