'Clear Violation': Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Writes To PM Modi, Seeks Halt To Karnataka’s Mekedatu Project

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 17:09 IST

Mekedatu Project Row: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urged the Prime Minister to instruct officials concerned to reject the DPR prepared by Karnataka.

Mekedatu Project Row: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing strong objections to Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam proposal and urging the Centre to reject the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by the neighbouring state.

In his letter, Vijay said he was surprised that the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission had considered Karnataka’s proposal for the Mekedatu project without adequately taking into account Tamil Nadu’s objections.

He urged the Prime Minister to instruct officials concerned to reject the DPR prepared by Karnataka, arguing that it contravenes both the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court’s February 16, 2018 judgment on the long-running inter-state water dispute.

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“The DPR for the Mekedatu project has been prepared… The project is in clear violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment," Vijay said in his communication, according to official statements. The Chief Minister also asked the Prime Minister to advise the Karnataka government not to take up any new projects without the concurrence of co-basin states, stressing that such steps should not violate apex court directions.

Vijay further flagged recent developments in Karnataka, including the announcement of a proposed “bhoomi puja" for the Mekedatu reservoir and remarks made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, saying they had caused concern among farmers in Tamil Nadu who depend heavily on the Cauvery river for their livelihood.

“You may be well aware that a solution to the sensitive Cauvery water dispute was obtained after a long legal battle, lasting about three decades," he said, referring to the Supreme Court judgment that is currently under implementation.

The Mekedatu project has long been a flashpoint in the Cauvery river dispute, which involves Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, arguing it could affect downstream water flow and violate established allocations. The state has already challenged the project in the Supreme Court, filing petitions in 2018 and 2022.

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