Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to halt Karnataka’s Mekedatu reservoir project [1].
The dispute over the Cauvery River is a long-standing flashpoint between the two states. Any reduction in water flow to Tamil Nadu could jeopardize agricultural productivity and drinking water security for millions of residents.
In a letter dated May 26, 2024 [2], Vijay said the proposed reservoir in Karnataka would reduce the share of Cauvery water entitled to Tamil Nadu. He said the project is in direct violation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and a 2018 Supreme Court order [1].
The Mekedatu project involves the construction of a balancing reservoir on the river. Tamil Nadu officials said such a structure would allow Karnataka to unilaterally control the flow of water, potentially diverting resources away from downstream users during critical seasons.
Vijay called for the Prime Minister's intervention to prevent the project from proceeding. He said the move by Karnataka undermines the legal frameworks established to ensure equitable water distribution between the states [3].
The tension between the two regional governments has historically escalated during drought years. The current appeal to the central government reflects a push to resolve the stalemate through federal oversight rather than continuing the legal battle in the courts [4].
“Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to halt Karnataka’s Mekedatu reservoir project.”
This escalation highlights the persistent fragility of water-sharing agreements in Southern India. By appealing directly to the Prime Minister, Tamil Nadu is attempting to shift the dispute from a judicial process to a political negotiation, seeking a federal guarantee that Karnataka will not unilaterally alter the river's flow via the Mekedatu dam.
