Tamil Nadu Opposes Karnataka’s Mekedatu Project, CM Vijay Writes to PM Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu reservoir project and requesting the Centre to reject the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by the neighbouring state.

In his communication, Vijay expressed concern that the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission had proceeded with Karnataka’s proposal without adequately considering Tamil Nadu’s objections. He argued that the project violates both the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment on the Cauvery river dispute.

The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to direct the concerned authorities to reject the DPR and prevent Karnataka from moving ahead with the project without the consent of co-basin states.

According to Tamil Nadu, the proposed Mekedatu project could adversely affect downstream water flow into the state, impacting farmers and irrigation-dependent regions that rely heavily on Cauvery river water.

Vijay also referred to recent developments in Karnataka, including reports of a proposed bhoomi puja for the reservoir project and statements made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. He said these developments had created anxiety among farmers in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister noted that the Cauvery water-sharing issue had already undergone decades of legal proceedings before reaching a resolution through the Supreme Court judgment delivered in February 2018.

The Mekedatu project has remained one of the most contentious issues in the long-running Cauvery dispute involving Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained its opposition to the project and has already approached the Supreme Court multiple times challenging Karnataka’s plans. The state argues that any new project on the Cauvery river must comply fully with existing tribunal awards and court directions.