Chennai, June 19:
The long-running dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the proposed Mekedatu dam project is set to intensify, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay scheduled to move a special resolution in the State Assembly on Friday opposing the construction of the dam across the Cauvery River.
The Karnataka government has for several years been pursuing plans to build a reservoir-cum-dam at Mekedatu, at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, arguing that it could adversely affect the State’s share of Cauvery water. Successive Tamil Nadu chief ministers, from M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa to Edappadi K. Palaniswami and M.K. Stalin, mounted legal and political opposition to the project, a stance that has been continued by the present government.
Tamil Nadu suffered a legal setback after the Supreme Court dismissed its plea challenging the Centre’s decision to permit Karnataka to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the dam. A subsequent review petition filed by the State was also rejected. While dismissing the case, the court observed that Tamil Nadu’s concerns were premature at the DPR stage and directed that the views of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee should be considered before any final decision is taken on the project.
Following the verdict, Chief Minister Vijay raised the issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the Centre not to grant approval for the project without Tamil Nadu’s consent.
Meanwhile, Karnataka’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has renewed efforts to secure approval for the dam. During a recent visit to New Delhi, he met Prime Minister Modi and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, seeking expedited clearance for the project.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, Shivakumar asserted that the Mekedatu project would benefit Tamil Nadu as much as Karnataka. While reiterating Karnataka’s obligation to release 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, he declared that the State would not retreat from its plans to construct the dam.
Against this backdrop, the Tamil Nadu government is expected to send a strong political message through the special Assembly resolution reaffirming its opposition to the Mekedatu project and protecting the State’s water rights.
