Mekedatu Project: Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Dispute over Cauvery Waters

Why in News?

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly recently adopted a unanimous resolution opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu Project across the Cauvery River. Karnataka, however, maintains that the project is intended for drinking water supply and hydropower generation and will not affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery waters.

What is the Mekedatu Project?

The Mekedatu Project is a proposed balancing reservoir and hydroelectric project planned by Karnataka across the Cauvery River near Mekedatu in Ramanagara district.

Key Objectives of Mekedatu Project

• Supply drinking water to Bengaluru and surrounding regions.
• Regulate the release of Cauvery water downstream to Biligundlu, the inter-state monitoring point.
• Generate approximately 400 MW of hydroelectric power.
• Improve water storage and management during periods of variable river flow.

Mekedatu Project: Concerns and Inter-State Dispute

Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, arguing that:

• Any new reservoir or storage structure in the Cauvery Basin requires the consent of all basin states.
• Approval must be obtained from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), and the Union Government.
• Additional storage capacity could potentially affect downstream water availability during critical agricultural seasons.

In November 2025, the Supreme Court declined to intervene at that stage, observing that the proposal was still at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage and should first be examined by the competent technical authorities.

Cauvery River: Key Facts

Major Tributaries

Left Bank Tributaries

• Harangi
• Hemavati
• Shimsha
• Arkavati

Right Bank Tributaries

• Kabini
• Bhavani
• Noyyal
• Amaravati
• Suvarnavathi
• Lakshmana Tirtha

Important Dams

• Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam – Karnataka
• Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) – Tamil Nadu