"Megathathu dam construction will not be allowed at any cost": Tamil Nadu minister CTR Nirmal Kumar
Chennai, June 1
Tamil Nadu Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar on Monday reaffirmed the state government's stance against the construction of the Mekedatu Dam.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, "Mekedatu dam construction will not be allowed at any cost."
The minister added that the state is actively pursuing all necessary legal measures to prevent the project, working under the guidance of the CM. "We are looking after all legal actions to be taken against the Dam Construction with the guidance of the TN chief minister Joseph Vijay," he said.
Earlier, on May 25, Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay conducted detailed consultations with Cauvery water experts and legal experts on the proposed groundbreaking ceremony by the Karnataka government for the construction of the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery River.
According to a press note from the Tamil Nadu government, the meeting was held in order to uphold the state's rights and safeguard the welfare of farmers. Taking into account the details of the Supreme Court judgment and detailed legal consultation, CM Vijay advised that immediate follow-up legal measures should be undertaken expeditiously.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Keralam and Puducherry have a long-standing dispute over the Cauvery River water, with the proposed Mekedatu dam being a new chapter in the conflict between the two bordering states.
At the meeting, it was stated that since the proposed Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery River is against the Supreme Court verdict, the Tamil Nadu Government had filed petitions in the Supreme Court opposing the project on November 30, 2028 and June 7, 2022.
It was further informed that, during the hearing of this case related to the Mekedatu dam on November 13, 2025, the Supreme Court had not granted any permission for the Mekedatu dam project and had stated that the project was still at a preliminary stage.
The court also observed that only the expert body, namely the Central Water Commission, could determine whether the project falls within the ambit of the previous judgment of the apex court, and accordingly ordered closure of the cases.
Challenging the judgment, the Tamil Nadu Government filed a review petition on December 11, 2025. The review petition had undergone in-chamber consideration before the Supreme Court during the previous regime, with the judgment reserved, and has now been dismissed by the top court.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I respect the Tamil Nadu government's legal approach but I think we need to also look at it from a practical perspective. Karnataka also needs water for drinking purposes. Why can't both states sit together and find a solution rather than going to courts again and again? These legal battles just waste tax money and time.
Our farmer brothers in Tamil Nadu have been cultivating for generations depending on Cauvery water. Any dam upstream will reduce water flow during crucial seasons. The Karnataka government should understand that it's not just about politics, it's about lakhs of families' livelihoods. CM Joseph Vijay is rightly taking strong legal steps. 👏
Honestly, this is a never-ending fight between two states. Both have valid points but the real issue is water scarcity. We need a national water policy that distributes water fairly based on scientific data. Until then, these disputes will keep happening. The Supreme Court verdict should be the final word, no more backdoor attempts.
I'm from Karnataka but I understand Tamil Nadu's concern. However, Bengaluru's water crisis is real and Mekedatu could help. But I also don't want to harm Tamil farmers. Why can't we have a joint feasibility study with both state governments, the central water commission, and independent experts? That would be more constructive than just court battles. 😕
Tamil Nadu is absolutely right to oppose this. The 2025 court order clearly said the project is at preliminary stage and needs CWC clearance. But the Karnataka government is trying to push ahead with groundbreaking ceremony without proper approvals. That's not right. Rules should be followed by everyone. Our
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