On October 22, 2026, Karnataka's Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi to discuss early approval of the Sharavati Pumped Storage and Mekedatu projects.
The Sharavati Pumped Storage Project has a capacity of 2,000 MW. Karnataka has submitted the required clarifications and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) report, indicating its readiness for early consideration.
The Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project involves only 20 boreholes for geotechnical investigations within the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The project does not seek diversion of the protected area. Karnataka has requested early consideration of the geo-technical survey proposal to meet drinking water needs.
The Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project involves only 20 boreholes for geotechnical investigations within the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Centre has requested additional documents on the status of pending petitions related to Mekedatu before the Supreme Court, reflecting a cautious approach while balancing environmental concerns with the state's needs.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged the Union Minister’s intervention on matters including early consideration of the 2,000 MW Sharavati Pumped Storage Project, for which clarifications and the NIAS report have been submitted, and early consideration of the Mekedatu geo-technical survey proposal involving 20 boreholes without protected area diversion.