Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Tuesday (26 May 2026) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him not to allow the construction of the Mekedatu Dam project proposed by the Karnataka government. CM Vijay says that this project is contrary to the order of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) and the decision of the Supreme Court.
Lakhs of farmers in Tamil Nadu worried: Vijay
Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay said that PM Modi should advise the Karnataka government not to start any new project without the consent of other states in the river basin and not to violate the Supreme Court decision. He said, ‘The announcement of Bhoomi Pujan of Mekedatu reservoir on the Cauvery river and the statements of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have created deep concern among lakhs of farmers in Tamil Nadu, who depend on the Cauvery river for their livelihood.’
The Chief Minister said, ‘You will be well aware that the solution to a sensitive issue like the Cauvery water dispute was reached after almost three decade long legal battle and the decision of February 16, 2018 is currently being implemented. The Mekedatu project is not included in the list of projects that have been granted permission by the tribunal. There is no scope for utilizing additional water or creating a huge storage reservoir, as the Cauvery basin has already been found to be a surplus water deficient basin and the available water has already been allocated among the party states.
‘PM should direct to reject Mekedatu project’
Vijay also alleged that Karnataka’s attempt to go ahead with the Mekedatu Dam project is also in “clear violation of existing environmental laws”. The Chief Minister said in the letter, ‘I request you to direct the concerned officials of the Jal Shakti Ministry and the Central Water Commission to reject the DPR of the Mekedatu project proposal, as it is contrary to the final decision of the CWDT and the decision of the Supreme Court.’
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