Centre Says Tamil Nadu Consent Not Mandatory for Karnataka Mekedatu Project

The Central Government has clarified that Karnataka is not legally required to obtain consent from Tamil Nadu, Kerala or Puducherry before moving forward with the proposed Mekedatu project on the Cauvery River. The clarification was provided in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, drawing fresh attention to one of the most debated inter state water issues in southern India.

The response came after Rajya Sabha member Anbumani Ramadoss from Tamil Nadu sought clarification on whether the 2018 Supreme Court judgment on the Cauvery water dispute required Karnataka to secure approval from the downstream states before taking up any construction across the river.

Replying on behalf of the Centre, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary stated that the Supreme Court verdict delivered on February 16, 2018 does not mention any requirement for Karnataka to obtain permission or consent from Tamil Nadu, Kerala or the Union Territory of Puducherry before undertaking such projects.

The Centre further explained that the Supreme Court had upheld Clause 18 of the 2007 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award. According to this provision, every basin state has the authority to regulate the use of water and develop water related infrastructure within its own territorial limits, provided such actions do not violate the tribunal’s final award.

The clarification is considered significant because the Mekedatu project has remained a point of disagreement between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for several years. Karnataka has maintained that the project is intended to improve drinking water supply and balance reservoir management, while Tamil Nadu has repeatedly raised concerns over its possible impact on downstream water availability.

The Centre also informed Parliament about the present status of the project proposal. It said Karnataka had submitted the Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu Reservoir and Drinking Water Project in 2019. However, the report was returned with directions to revise it in accordance with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and the existing guidelines of the Central Water Commission.

Officials said the revised proposal must fully comply with all applicable technical and legal requirements before it can be considered further. The Centre’s response indicates that while consent from downstream states is not specified in the Supreme Court judgment, the project must still satisfy the prescribed regulatory framework and technical standards.

The latest clarification is expected to influence future discussions surrounding the Mekedatu project, which continues to remain a politically and legally sensitive issue involving water sharing between the Cauvery basin states.