Tamil Nadu CM Vijay writes to PM Modi against Karnataka’s Mekedatu Dam plan
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre to reject Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery river, escalating the long-running inter-state water dispute.
The letter comes amid Karnataka’s push to begin Bhumi Pujan for the proposed balancing reservoir at Mekedatu, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, close to the Tamil Nadu border.
Vijay cites Supreme Court verdict
In his letter, Vijay argued that the proposed reservoir violates the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that upheld the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award.
According to the ruling, upstream states on the Cauvery river cannot construct new dams or reservoirs without the consent of downstream stakeholders — namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
“The Mekedatu dam is not on the list of projects permitted by the Tribunal,” Vijay wrote, adding that the Cauvery basin has already been classified as a “deficit basin” with available water fully allocated among the states.
“Hence the act of proposing to construct a new reservoir by Karnataka would amount to clear violation of the said judgment,” the letter stated.
Tamil Nadu seeks Centre’s intervention
Vijay urged PM Modi to advise the Karnataka government against proceeding with any new Cauvery project without obtaining consent from downstream states.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had earlier directed officials to pursue legal action over the Mekedatu project.
DK Shivakumar’s remarks trigger row
The controversy intensified after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said the Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu project would soon be submitted to the Centre and groundwork would begin after approval.
Shivakumar also claimed that the Supreme Court had ruled Tamil Nadu had “no right to object” to the project and that the Central Water Commission would take the final decision.
His remarks sparked strong reactions in Tamil Nadu, with the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam accusing him of displaying an “arrogant attitude” over Tamil Nadu’s rights on the Cauvery river.
The party urged Vijay to strongly oppose Karnataka’s move and stop the project “in the initial phase itself.”
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