Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the escalating dispute over Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu reservoir project, questioning the Centre’s position on whether the neighbouring state requires the consent of downstream states before proceeding with the plan.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Vijay expressed disappointment over a recent statement made by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in the Rajya Sabha. The minister had stated that Karnataka would not be required to obtain the consent of lower riparian states for the proposed project.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister argued that such a position does not adequately take into account the existing legal framework governing the Cauvery river dispute. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that no administrative approval is granted to the Mekedatu project unless the proposal is found to be fully consistent with the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court’s February 2018 judgment.

The development comes amid renewed political tensions between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing and management of Cauvery river waters. The Mekedatu project has remained a major point of disagreement between the two states, with Tamil Nadu repeatedly raising concerns that the proposed reservoir could affect its share of Cauvery water.

Vijay challenges Centre’s position on consent

In his communication to Modi, Vijay maintained that the legal rights of downstream states cannot be overlooked while examining the proposed reservoir. He referred to the Supreme Court’s observations in the Alamatti case and argued that the consent and interests of lower riparian states must be considered before any major project affecting an inter-state river is taken forward.

According to the Tamil Nadu government’s position, the Mekedatu proposal should not be treated solely as an engineering or infrastructure project. Its legal implications, particularly those connected to the distribution of Cauvery waters, must also be examined before any decision is made.

Vijay stressed that the project’s legal permissibility should be assessed in light of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award, the Supreme Court’s February 16, 2018 judgment and the established rights of states located downstream of the proposed reservoir.

He also pointed to the history of Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report for Mekedatu. The report, submitted in 2019, had reportedly been returned by the Central Water Commission for revision to ensure that it complied with the tribunal’s award.

Tamil Nadu has cited this development as evidence that compliance with the tribunal’s directions remains an essential requirement for any further consideration of the project.

Demand for protection of Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery rights

The Tamil Nadu chief minister called upon the Prime Minister to withdraw or reconsider the minister’s statement and ensure that the interests of downstream states are protected.

Vijay particularly highlighted the importance of safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s rights concerning both the quantity of water it is entitled to receive and the regulated manner in which Cauvery water is released.

He called for any future examination of the Mekedatu project to be carried out only after a comprehensive technical and legal assessment. Such an evaluation, he argued, should consider the concerns and interests of all lower riparian states.

The chief minister also described the Cauvery as a lifeline for millions of farmers across southern India, underlining the river’s importance not only for agriculture but also for drinking water requirements and the broader livelihoods of communities dependent on its waters.

Vijay urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter in the interests of justice, cooperative federalism and adherence to judicial decisions governing the inter-state river dispute.

Vijay likely to visit Bengaluru in August

The Tamil Nadu government has also confirmed that Vijay is expected to travel to Karnataka in the first week of August to discuss the Mekedatu issue.

State minister R Vinoth said the chief minister would visit Karnataka to pursue Tamil Nadu’s position on the proposed dam. The minister reiterated the state government’s opposition to Karnataka constructing the reservoir and said the visit would focus on protecting Tamil Nadu’s interests in the Cauvery dispute.

However, Vinoth did not confirm whether Vijay would hold a direct meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar during the proposed visit.

The planned Bengaluru visit could bring the Mekedatu issue back into the centre of political discussions between the two southern states. While Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the construction of the reservoir, Karnataka has maintained its position in favour of the project.

Water-sharing dispute adds to tensions

The latest controversy has emerged at a time when disagreements over the release of Cauvery water have also intensified.

At a July 22 meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, Karnataka reportedly maintained that it had been unable to release Tamil Nadu’s allocated share for June and July because of inadequate rainfall.

Tamil Nadu, however, has continued to insist that Karnataka must honour its obligations under the established water-sharing arrangements.

Vinoth said Vijay would raise the issue of Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water during his visit, arguing that securing the state’s water entitlement was essential to establishing and protecting its legal rights.

The dispute is particularly significant for farmers in Tamil Nadu who depend on Cauvery water for cultivation. The availability of water also has implications for drinking water supplies in several districts.

Legal options under consideration

The Tamil Nadu government has also begun examining its next legal steps in relation to the Mekedatu project.

Earlier this week, Vijay held discussions with legal experts involved in the state’s case concerning the reservoir proposal. The government is expected to consider the recommendations of the legal team before deciding on its next course of action.

The move indicates that Tamil Nadu may pursue both political and legal avenues to challenge any attempt to advance the project without addressing the state’s concerns.

The Mekedatu proposal has been a longstanding source of friction between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The project, planned across the Cauvery river in Karnataka, has been presented by its proponents as a measure to improve water storage and supply, particularly for Bengaluru and surrounding areas. Tamil Nadu, however, has consistently argued that the reservoir could have consequences for the flow and availability of Cauvery water reaching its territory.

Opposition parties back Tamil Nadu’s concerns

The controversy has also drawn criticism from political leaders across Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the Union minister’s remarks and said they had caused concern among people in the state. He also alleged that Karnataka had not released Tamil Nadu’s due share of Cauvery water during the current year, claiming that the situation had affected agricultural activities, including Kuruvai cultivation, as well as drinking water availability in some districts.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also sought clarification from the Centre over its position on the Mekedatu project.

Tagore argued that no approval should be granted to a project that could adversely affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery water or undermine the implementation of the tribunal award and the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The BJP had not responded to requests for comment on the criticism at the time of the report.

Mekedatu dispute likely to remain a major political issue

The developments have once again placed the Mekedatu reservoir proposal at the heart of the long-running Cauvery dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

For Tamil Nadu, the issue is closely linked to the protection of its legally recognised water allocation and the interests of farmers and residents who rely on the Cauvery. Karnataka, meanwhile, has continued to support the proposed reservoir as an important water infrastructure project.

With Vijay preparing to visit Bengaluru in August and the Tamil Nadu government reviewing its legal options, the dispute is expected to remain a significant political and administrative issue in the coming weeks.

The outcome will depend on how the Centre, the two state governments and the relevant legal and regulatory authorities address the competing claims surrounding the project. At the centre of the disagreement is the question of how the Mekedatu proposal should be evaluated within the existing legal framework governing the Cauvery river and the rights of the states that depend on its waters.

As Tamil Nadu presses for a fresh examination of the project’s legal and technical implications, the proposed Bengaluru visit could provide another opportunity for dialogue while also signalling the state government’s determination to oppose any move that it believes could affect its Cauvery water rights.