Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in the Mekedatu water dispute with Karnataka. The move follows the Centre's recent statement that Karnataka does not need Tamil Nadu's consent for the project, a position the state government has strongly contested.
The Mekedatu project, proposed by Karnataka across the Cauvery river near the border, aims to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding areas. Tamil Nadu, a downstream state, argues that any new project on the river must be approved by all riparian states under the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award and the 2018 Supreme Court judgment.
The dispute has deep roots. The Cauvery water-sharing agreement, finalized after decades of litigation, allocates a fixed share to each state. Tamil Nadu fears the Mekedatu reservoir will reduce its share, impacting millions of farmers in the Cauvery delta. Karnataka insists the project is only for drinking water and does not violate the agreement.
The Centre's stance has added fuel to the political debate. Tamil Nadu's ruling party and opposition have united in opposing the project, while Karnataka views it as essential for its growing urban population. The matter is also being heard in the Supreme Court.
With the letter to the PM, Vijay has escalated the issue to the highest level. He has urged Modi to direct the Centre to withdraw its 'no consent needed' position and ensure the project is not pursued without Tamil Nadu's approval. The outcome remains uncertain, but the political and legal stakes are high for both states.