Bengaluru: The long-standing Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has intensified again, with renewed political exchanges and legal challenges over the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River.
The latest flare-up comes amid Karnataka’s continued push to advance the project, including efforts to submit a revised DPR and move toward preliminary groundwork. The plan of supplying drinking water in Bengaluru and generating hydroelectric power has triggered opposition from Tamil Nadu, which fears reduced downstream flow.
Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday took potshots at the Tamil Nadu government over the issue, saying that the Tamil Nadu government, irrespective of the party, will do ‘politics’.
“They have been opposing for the past 30 to 40 years. The matter has already been decided by the court. The matter lies with the central government now,” Shivakumar said, as quoted by HT.
The Tamil Nadu government has escalated its opposition by approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking directions to restrain Karnataka from carrying out any activity related to the project, including a proposed “bhoomi puja”. The state argues that the project could violate existing Cauvery water-sharing arrangements and Supreme Court rulings.
Officials in Tamil Nadu maintain that Mekedatu lies at a critical point in the Cauvery basin where unrestricted flow into the state could be affected.
Political tension escalates in Tamil Nadu
The issue has also sparked strong political reactions within Tamil Nadu. Left parties, including CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML) Liberation, staged protests in Thanjavur, demanding a firm stance from the state government. They have urged the convening of an all-party meeting to address the dispute.
Protesters accused Karnataka of violating earlier tribunal awards and Supreme Court directions, while also criticising the Union government for what they called inaction on protecting Tamil Nadu’s water rights.
Karnataka defends project intent
Karnataka continues to defend the Mekedatu project, arguing that it is intended primarily for drinking water supply to Bengaluru and does not infringe on Tamil Nadu’s allocated share. The state has also indicated that revised project proposals aim to address earlier concerns raised by downstream states and central authorities.
Karnataka leaders maintain that the project is a key infrastructure requirement for the rapidly growing Bengaluru metropolitan region.
