Anbumani Ramadoss Launches March In Biligundlu Against Mekedatu Dam
PMK leader and Rajya Sabha member Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday launched a public awareness march from Biligundlu in Dharmapuri to protest against Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project. Biligundlu serves as the entry point of the Cauvery river into Tamil Nadu, making it the starting point for the campaign against the construction.
Speaking to reporters before commencing the march, Ramadoss called for a massive youth mobilization across Tamil Nadu. He compared the scale of the required mobilization to the historic 2017 pro-jallikattu protests, urging the public to recognize the gravity of the situation and unite to stop Karnataka's move to build the dam across the Cauvery river.
The PMK leader warned of devastating agricultural and environmental consequences if the project is allowed to proceed. According to Ramadoss, the construction of the dam at Mekedatu would block even the wastewater that currently flows into Tamil Nadu. He cautioned that this blockage would ultimately turn the state's fertile delta districts into barren land.
Ramadoss clarified that the consequences of the dam would not be limited to the agricultural delta. He stated that if the delta is destroyed, the entire state of Tamil Nadu will suffer, directly affecting major urban and regional centers including Chennai, Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, and Kanyakumari.
Furthermore, Ramadoss raised alarms over a looming drinking water crisis. He warned that several major water supply initiatives would collapse if the dam is built. These threatened projects include the Hogenakkal combined water scheme, the Ramanathapuram water scheme, the Melur combined water scheme, and the Mettur surplus water scheme.
The march also aimed to highlight the severe ecological impact of the proposed dam. Ramadoss pointed out that the construction site in Karnataka covers 12,500 acres of dense forest land. This forest is currently home to diverse wildlife, including elephants and tigers, whose habitats would be submerged by the project.
