TN CM Vijay Urges PM Modi to Halt Karnataka's Mekedatu Dam

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has recently urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and prevent Karnataka from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery River. In a letter dated July 28, 2026, CM Vijay highlighted that the project represents a 'clear violation' of the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and subsequent judgments by the Supreme Court. The core of Tamil Nadu's objection lies in the assertion that the Mekedatu project, a multi-purpose balancing reservoir, cannot be undertaken without the explicit consent of the lower riparian states, primarily Tamil Nadu. CM Vijay specifically challenged a statement made by the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti in the Rajya Sabha on July 27, 2026, which indicated that the 2018 Supreme Court verdict did not explicitly require Karnataka to obtain the consent of lower riparian states for constructing a dam. Vijay deemed this reply 'disappointing' and argued it was made without adequately considering the prevailing legal position and settled law concerning inter-state river water disputes. He cited the Supreme Court's 2000 Constitution Bench judgment in the Almatti Dam dispute between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which, according to Vijay, clearly held that Karnataka could not increase the dam's height or construct a new dam without the consent of downstream states and Central government approval. Furthermore, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister pointed to Clause XVIII of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award, which preserves a state's authority to regulate water within its territory only when such actions are consistent with the tribunal's order. Vijay contended that any project affecting the regulated flow regime established under the award must be thoroughly examined for compliance. The Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project is proposed by Karnataka to address Bengaluru's drinking water needs and generate 400 MW of power. Karnataka views it as a crucial project for managing its water resources and ensuring urban water security. However, Tamil Nadu consistently argues that the dam would 'irreparably and irreversibly affect the flow of water' from the Cauvery River to its lower riparian regions, thereby jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of farmers and threatening numerous combined water supply schemes. The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed the project, including through unanimous Assembly resolutions and legal challenges. The historical context of the Cauvery water dispute is extensive, dating back decades. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) issued its final award in 2007, allocating the basin's waters, which was later modified by the Supreme Court in 2018. The Supreme Court also directed the establishment of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to ensure the implementation of its orders. While the Supreme Court allowed Karnataka to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Mekedatu, it explicitly stated that this did not amount to permission for construction, which would require all necessary statutory approvals, including the concurrence of the CWMA. Karnataka has submitted a revised DPR for the project in August 2026, which still awaits environmental and forest clearances. CM C. Joseph Vijay, who assumed office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, has made the Mekedatu issue a significant focus of his administration. He has also sought bilateral talks with his Karnataka counterpart regarding the Cauvery water shortfall and Mekedatu. The ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of inter-state river water sharing in India, where the needs of upstream and downstream states often clash, requiring Central intervention and adherence to judicial pronouncements. Tamil Nadu remains firm in its stance to protect its riparian rights and ensure the stipulated water releases from the Cauvery.

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