No water being released to Tamil Nadu, says Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar

Karnataka was not releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Dy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Monday amid attacks by the Opposition BJP that the government had let go of its water to the neighbouring state when Bengaluru was reeling under drinking water shortage.

There is absolutely no question of releasing water to Tamil Nadu currently. The government has meticulously documented the amount of water flowing to Tamil Nadu. Even if water were released today, it would take four days to reach the reservoir in Tamil Nadu, he said.

Shivakumar, also the water resources minister, said there was no question of Karnataka releasing the water as TN had not asked for it.


Whatever water that was flowing from the KRS was to replenish the Shiva reservoir to help the water utility BWSSB to pump water to Bengaluru. Water had been released from KRS at BWSSB’s request, he added.

Farmer groups and the Opposition parties have been holding protests in Mandya district accusing the government of clandestinely releasing water to help its alliance partner DMK in Tamil Nadu, ignoring the interests of the state’s farmers and citizens. The ruling DMK is part of Congress-led INDIA alliance.