Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made a surprising claim on Tuesday, stating that the Mekedatu project, if implemented, would benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka. His remarks came during a visit to the Srinivasa Solid Waste Management Unit in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Shivakumar, who was in Chennai with 15 officials to study solid waste management and gas production from garbage, expressed admiration for Tamil Nadu’s progress. He noted, “Varunadev has saved us this year. Tamil Nadu is doing well due to the rain.” He also mentioned plans to adopt successful practices observed during the visit.
Highlighting the efficiency of Chennai’s CNG production unit, Shivakumar said, “We have been allowed to generate electricity from garbage in 10 places. Power generation from solid waste has not been successful in many areas, but here, in the middle of the city, the CNG production unit has been neatly arranged.”
Shivakumar also visited the Arbesar Company office to learn about their waste collection and disposal processes. He was accompanied by BBMP Administrator S.R. Umashankar and Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath.
This statement from the Deputy Chief Minister is likely to stir debate in Karnataka, especially among those advocating for the Mekedatu project’s benefits for the state.