Tamil Nadu CM Urges PM Modi to Reject Karnataka's Mekedatu Dam

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the central government to reject Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam ^[1].

The dispute centers on water security and the legal distribution of the Cauvery River's resources. Because the project could alter the flow of water into Tamil Nadu, it has become a point of significant political and regional tension between the two states.

In a communication dated May 26, 2024 ^[1], Vijay requested that the Centre reject the Detailed Project Report for the dam. He said the Mekedatu project is a clear violation of the inter-state water-sharing agreement ^[2].

Reports on the method of this appeal vary. Some sources state that Vijay wrote a letter to the Prime Minister ^[1], while other reports indicate he tabled a special resolution in the Assembly to urge the Centre not to approve the project ^[3].

Vijay said Tamil Nadu will not allow any project that jeopardises its share of Cauvery water ^[4]. The chief minister said the project threatens the water security of his state, which relies heavily on the river for agriculture and consumption.

The Mekedatu project is a proposed balancing reservoir in Karnataka. Tamil Nadu argues that such a structure would allow Karnataka to unilaterally control the flow of water, potentially reducing the volume reaching the downstream state during lean seasons.

Vijay said he has urged the Centre to intervene to prevent the project from moving forward ^[2]. The request for the rejection of the project report aims to stop the construction before it reaches a stage where it cannot be reversed.