The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.
Explanation
The
Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam is a gravity dam constructed across the
river Cauvery in the Mandya district of Karnataka. Built during the reign of the Wodeyar dynasty and engineered by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, it is a critical infrastructure project for the Cauvery basin. The allocation and usage of water from this dam are central subjects in the
Cauvery River Water Dispute involving Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The primary purpose of the KRS dam is to provide water for irrigation. It serves the agricultural needs of the Mandya and Mysuru districts in Karnataka, transforming these areas into fertile agricultural belts.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The dam is the main source of drinking water for the city of Bengaluru (Bangalore) and the city of Mysuru. The Supreme Court, in its verdicts regarding the Cauvery dispute, has specifically allocated water shares to meet the drinking water requirements of the global metropolis of Bengaluru.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The hydroelectric power generated at the dam site (and downstream at Shivanasamudra) is utilized by the state of Karnataka. The dam is owned and operated by Karnataka. While Kerala is a riparian state in the Cauvery basin (contributing through tributaries like the Kabini), the KRS dam does not generate power primarily for Kerala.
Key Takeaway
The
Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam is located on the
Cauvery River in
Karnataka. Its water is legally allocated for
irrigation in the Mandya/Mysuru region and for the
drinking water needs of
Bengaluru.