‘Ask Karnataka to seek consent of co-basin states’: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges PM Modi over Mekedatu dam project | India News
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the state’s long-standing dispute with neighbouring Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery river water.In a letter dated November 6, Vijay urged PM Modi to ensure that Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery river does not receive any statutory or administrative clearances without the consent of the co-basin states. He also raised concerns over reports of a site inspection by Union government officials at the proposed project site.The Tamil Nadu chief minister said the Mekedatu reservoir could affect the water flow and monthly deliveries to Tamil Nadu as stipulated by the Supreme Court.“The proposal of the Government of Karnataka to construct the Mekedatu reservoir across Cauvery with a huge capacity of 67.16 TMC, just upstream of the inter-state border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, would not only prevent the flows due to Tamil Nadu but also prejudicially affect the monthly deliveries to the inhabitants of Cauvery Basin of Tamil Nadu, as stipulated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” Vijay wrote in the letter.“The anxious farmers of Tamil Nadu view the site visit as an indication of tacit movement on a project that would jeopardise their very livelihood,” he added, referring to the reported site inspection by central officials.Vijay further highlighted the difficulties faced by Cauvery Delta farmers during the deficit water year 2026-27. He alleged that Karnataka had failed to release Tamil Nadu’s due share of water even on a pro-rata basis.Citing to his earlier letter to the Prime Minister dated July 28, the chief minister reiterated that the project should not receive any statutory or administrative approval unless it was demonstrably consistent with the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court’s judgment.“It is vital that the rights of lower riparian States regarding both the quantum and regulated pattern of monthly releases remain fully protected,” Vijay said.He also termed the consideration of the Mekedatu Detailed Project Report, along with unilateral technical evaluations or site inspections by central agencies at this stage, as “highly inappropriate.”Vijay further urged the Prime Minister to defer any administrative or technical action arising from the reported site inspection and advise the Karnataka government against proceeding with the project without the consent of co-basin states.
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The Mekedatu multi-purpose balancing reservoir is a long-standing proposal of the Karnataka government, primarily aimed at meeting state capital and IT hub Bengaluru’s drinking water needs and generating hydroelectric power.However, the project has faced opposition from downstream Tamil Nadu over concerns about its potential impact on Cauvery water availability.(With ANI inputs)
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