DMK Urges Decisive Action on Mekedatu Dam, Says Resolution Falls Short

Chennai, Tamil Nadu – DMK leader TKS Elangovan on Friday amplified the pressing demand for proactive measures against the proposed Mekedatu dam project, asserting that a mere legislative resolution would not suffice to deter its construction by Karnataka. Speaking in Chennai, Elangovan unequivocally stated that the Tamil Nadu government must move beyond symbolic gestures and undertake decisive action to safeguard the state's riparian rights and the livelihoods of its farmers. This declaration intensifies the long-standing and often contentious inter-state dispute over the Cauvery River waters.

The Mekedatu multi-purpose (drinking water and power) project, envisioned by Karnataka across the Cauvery River, has been a flashpoint of contention for years. Located at the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers in the Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagara district, Karnataka aims to construct a dam with a storage capacity of 67.16 tmc (thousand million cubic feet). The project is projected to meet the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and generate hydroelectric power, with an estimated cost running into several thousands of crores. However, Tamil Nadu vehemently opposes the project, arguing that it would severely impede the natural flow of water to downstream areas, thereby jeopardizing agricultural activities in the Cauvery delta region and affecting drinking water supply to numerous districts, including Chennai.

Tamil Nadu's opposition is rooted in historical agreements and the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), later upheld by the Supreme Court. The state contends that Karnataka cannot unilaterally undertake any project that alters the natural flow of the inter-state river without the consent of the lower riparian states. The CWDT's final order, modified by the Supreme Court in 2018, meticulously delineates the sharing of Cauvery waters between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Tamil Nadu's primary concern is that the Mekedatu dam would give Karnataka an undue advantage in controlling the river's flow, especially during distress years, directly impacting the guaranteed quantum of water released to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court's directives.

Elangovan's demand for 'concrete action' suggests a multi-pronged approach beyond legislative resolutions. This could encompass renewed legal challenges in the Supreme Court, exerting greater political pressure on the Central Government to withhold necessary clearances for the project, and potentially mobilizing public opinion and protests to highlight the plight of Tamil Nadu's farmers. The DMK, as the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, is expected to leverage its influence to ensure the protection of the state's interests. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), established by the Centre following the Supreme Court's orders, play crucial roles in implementing the tribunal's award and regulating water releases. Tamil Nadu has consistently urged the CWMA to direct Karnataka to cease all activities related to the Mekedatu project, arguing that it violates the spirit and letter of the Supreme Court's judgment.

The inter-state river water dispute has deep historical roots, dating back to agreements between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore. Despite numerous tribunals, committees, and legal interventions, a permanent and mutually acceptable solution remains elusive. Each monsoon season, the issue resurfaces, highlighting the critical dependence of agricultural economies and urban populations on the river's bounty. The DMK leader's call is a clear indication that the Tamil Nadu government views the Mekedatu project not merely as an engineering endeavor but as a direct challenge to its water security and a potential violation of established legal precedents. The focus now shifts to what specific 'concrete actions' the state government will undertake to translate Elangovan's urgent plea into tangible results and effectively halt Karnataka's dam construction plans.