Tamil Nadu CM urges PM Modi not to clear Mekedatu dam project without consent of co-basin states
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to grant statutory or administrative approvals for Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project without the consent of co-basin states.
In a letter to PM Modi on Saturday, Vijay expressed concern over reports of a site inspection by Union government officials at the proposed dam location. He said the reported visit had heightened anxiety among Cauvery Delta farmers, who were already facing a deficit water year in 2026-27.
Vijay accused Karnataka of failing to ensure Tamil Nadu's rightful share of Cauvery water, even on a pro-rata basis. He said the rights of lower riparian states over the volume and regulated monthly release of water must be protected.
The chief minister opposed Karnataka's proposal to construct a reservoir with a capacity of 67.16 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) across the Cauvery, upstream of the inter-state border.
He argued that the project could obstruct water flows into Tamil Nadu and affect monthly deliveries stipulated by the Supreme Court.
Tamil Nadu has previously challenged the project through legal and legislative measures. The state filed an application before the National Green Tribunal on May 27, 2026, seeking to prevent environmental clearances until inter-state issues are resolved.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution on June 19 opposing clearances for the project. The state subsequently approached the Supreme Court on August 3, challenging Union government guidelines on preparing detailed project reports for irrigation and multipurpose projects in the Cauvery basin.
The matter remains pending before the Supreme Court.