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Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Writes to PM Modi over Mekedatu Project, Seeks Protection of Lower Riparian States' Rights
Vijay said Mekedatu needs legal scrutiny and no approvals until it matches the Cauvery tribunal award and Supreme Court ruling.
- On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre to ensure no statutory or administrative approval is granted to the Mekedatu project unless it complies with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award and Supreme Court judgment.
- Vijay urged the Union government to withdraw a recent Rajya Sabha reply by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which claimed the February 16, 2018, Supreme Court judgment does not require Karnataka to obtain consent from lower riparian states before constructing structures.
- Citing the Alamatti dam dispute, Vijay noted the Supreme Court ruled Karnataka cannot construct structures without lower riparian consent. He referenced the Pambar Hydro-electric Project, where the Tribunal required joint agreement despite involving only 0.1 TMC of consumptive use.
- The Chief Minister requested the Centre implement 3 safeguards: ensuring statutory approval consistency with the Award, protecting downstream water rights, and requiring comprehensive legal and technical examinations before any future project consideration.
- This intervention separates immediate water release demands from the long-term Mekedatu proposal. Vijay emphasized that protecting the Tribunal Award and Supreme Court judgment is essential for maintaining confidence in constitutional mechanisms governing inter-state rivers.
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Vijay Writes To PM Modi, Objects To Jal Shakti Ministry's Reply On Mekedatu
The ministry, he said, "has stated that the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 16 February 2018 does not expressly stipulate that Karnataka should obtain the consent of the lower riparian States before constructing a structure across the River Cauvery".
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right5Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Right
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Right
62% Right
L 38%
R 62%
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