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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately intervene and stop Karnataka from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu Reservoir Project across the Cauvery River. He alleged that the move violates Supreme Court orders and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award.
In a detailed letter to the Prime Minister, Vijay expressed concern over Karnataka’s announcement of a “Bhoomi Puja” for the project. He said the development has caused anxiety among farmers in Tamil Nadu who depend on Cauvery water for agriculture and livelihood.
In his letter, Vijay said the long-standing Cauvery dispute was resolved after decades of legal proceedings and that the 2018 judgment is currently under implementation. He added that any new large storage project not permitted under the tribunal’s award would interfere with the court’s ruling.
He also cited Supreme Court observations that upper riparian states must not take actions affecting scheduled water releases to lower riparian states. On this basis, Tamil Nadu alleged that the proposed project violates the court’s directions.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide 4.75 TMCFT of drinking water to Bengaluru and nearby areas, along with the capacity to generate 400 MW of electricity.
Shivakumar added that Karnataka is already working on submitting a revised Detailed Project Report. He also noted that the Supreme Court had earlier directed the release of Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water and said the final decision on the project now rests with the central government.
Tamil Nadu also raised questions over the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission, asking why Karnataka’s proposal was still being considered despite objections from the state.
Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, arguing that it would affect its water entitlement. The Cauvery river dispute involves Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry and remains a long-standing inter-state issue, with Mekedatu emerging as a recent point of contention.
(With inputs from Agencies)
In a detailed letter to the Prime Minister, Vijay expressed concern over Karnataka’s announcement of a “Bhoomi Puja” for the project. He said the development has caused anxiety among farmers in Tamil Nadu who depend on Cauvery water for agriculture and livelihood.
Tamil Nadu cites Supreme Court ruling and CWDT award
The Tamil Nadu government stated that the Mekedatu project was not included in the CWDT final award, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in its judgment dated February 16, 2018. It further noted that the Cauvery basin has been classified as water-deficient and that available water has already been allocated among riparian states.In his letter, Vijay said the long-standing Cauvery dispute was resolved after decades of legal proceedings and that the 2018 judgment is currently under implementation. He added that any new large storage project not permitted under the tribunal’s award would interfere with the court’s ruling.
Concerns over reservoir capacity and water flow
According to the Chief Minister, Karnataka’s plan to construct a reservoir with a storage capacity of 67.16 TMC near the Tamil Nadu border could obstruct the natural flow of Cauvery waters allocated to Tamil Nadu under existing legal provisions.He also cited Supreme Court observations that upper riparian states must not take actions affecting scheduled water releases to lower riparian states. On this basis, Tamil Nadu alleged that the proposed project violates the court’s directions.
What is Mekedatu project?
The Mekedatu project is a proposed multi-purpose initiative designed to supply drinking water and generate hydroelectric power. Karnataka plans to construct a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in the Ramanagara district for this purpose.Once completed, the project is expected to provide 4.75 TMCFT of drinking water to Bengaluru and nearby areas, along with the capacity to generate 400 MW of electricity.
Karnataka defends project after Supreme Court order
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Tamil Nadu’s review petition on the Mekedatu project. He said the ruling was positive for Karnataka and thanked the court on behalf of the state.Shivakumar added that Karnataka is already working on submitting a revised Detailed Project Report. He also noted that the Supreme Court had earlier directed the release of Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water and said the final decision on the project now rests with the central government.
Environmental clearance and central agencies questioned
The letter noted that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had earlier refused Terms of Reference for an environmental impact assessment due to unresolved inter-state issues related to the project.Tamil Nadu also raised questions over the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission, asking why Karnataka’s proposal was still being considered despite objections from the state.
Appeal to reject DPR and halt project process
Vijay requested the Prime Minister to direct officials in the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission to reject the Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu project. He also urged that Karnataka be advised not to undertake any new project without concurrence from co-basin states and to fully comply with Supreme Court directions.Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, arguing that it would affect its water entitlement. The Cauvery river dispute involves Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry and remains a long-standing inter-state issue, with Mekedatu emerging as a recent point of contention.
(With inputs from Agencies)
