The long-running dispute over the proposed Mekedatu Dam resurfaced on Friday after the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution opposing Karnataka’s plan to build a reservoir across the Cauvery River and urged the Centre not to grant any approval to the project.
The resolution, moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, sought intervention from the Union government and the Central Water Commission (CWC), arguing that the proposed project cannot proceed without the consent of other Cauvery basin states and requisite approvals from the Centre. The House also expressed support for all measures being taken by the Tamil Nadu government to protect the interests of the state’s farmers.
The resolution received backing from parties across the House, including Congress, VCK and AIADMK, resulting in a unanimous stand against the project.
Tamil Nadu maintained that Karnataka’s attempt to construct a dam at Mekedatu runs contrary to the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal issued on February 5, 2007, and the Supreme Court judgment delivered on February 16, 2018.
“This August House records its strong objection to the unilateral attempt of the Government of Karnataka to construct a dam across the Cauvery River at Mekedatu, without respecting the Final Award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal dated 5.2.2007 and the Judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 16.2.2018, without obtaining the concurrence of the concerned basin States, and without securing any approval from the Union Government. Such an action is not at all acceptable,” the resolution stated.
Tamil Nadu seeks halt to approvals
The Assembly urged the Union government not to issue any form of approval for the project, including environmental and technical clearances.
It also called upon the Central Water Commission not to process or approve the Detailed Project Report submitted by Karnataka.
The resolution argued that both the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court had observed that the Cauvery basin is a deficit basin and that available water has already been allocated among the basin states.
“The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Hon’ble Supreme Court have observed that the Cauvery Basin is a deficit basin and that the total available water in the basin has already been apportioned among the basin States. Therefore, no new project can be undertaken in the Cauvery Basin, nor can any additional quantity of water be utilised,” it said.
Describing the Cauvery issue as a sensitive matter between the two southern states, the Assembly urged the Centre to advise Karnataka against taking up any new water storage project in the basin without obtaining the concurrence of other basin states and approval from the Union government.
AIADMK backs resolution
Participating in the discussion, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami reiterated his party’s opposition to the Mekedatu project and said it could affect Tamil Nadu’s water interests.
He recalled that former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre in 2015 and had also raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu had secured its rights over Cauvery waters through sustained efforts and asserted that protecting the state’s share remains a collective responsibility.
Karnataka responds
Reacting to the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s move, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said his government would continue to safeguard the interests of Karnataka.
“My responsibility is to protect the interests of our state. They will pass a resolution in their state’s interest. The court order is clear. We are only storing excess water that is going to the sea and using it for the people of our state, for Bengaluru, and for local districts,” Kharge said.
He added, “This has been cleared in court. We will ensure no injustice is done to anyone.”
The exchange underscores the continuing differences between the two states over the proposed Mekedatu project, which remains a politically sensitive issue linked to Cauvery river water sharing.