TN CM Vijay orders expedited legal steps on Mekedatu dam dispute with Karnataka
Chennai, May 25
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, on Monday directed officials to intensify and expedite legal efforts related to the contentious Mekedatu dam project, reaffirming the state government's stand on protecting Tamil Nadu's rights over Cauvery river water.
The Chief Minister issued the instructions during a high-level consultative meeting held at the Secretariat with Cauvery river water experts, legal luminaries, ministers, and senior government officials.
The meeting was convened in the backdrop of reports that the Karnataka government is preparing to conduct the proposed bhoomi poojan for the Mekedatu dam project, a move that has once again revived concerns in Tamil Nadu over potential impacts on water sharing.
According to an official release, the meeting focussed on assessing the legal and technical aspects of the project and identifying further measures to safeguard Tamil Nadu's interests in the long-running inter-state river dispute.
During the discussions, experts briefed the Chief Minister on the legal developments surrounding the case.
Officials pointed out that the Supreme Court, while delivering its judgment on November 11, 2025, had disposed of petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the Mekedatu project.
The court had observed that the issue of whether the project complied with earlier judicial directions and river water sharing arrangements would be determined by the Central Water Commission (CWC), which consists of technical experts.
The meeting was also informed that Tamil Nadu's review petition, filed against the Supreme Court judgment on December 11, 2025, had subsequently been dismissed.
Taking these developments into account, Chief Minister Vijay instructed officials to hold detailed legal consultations and accelerate the next course of action available to the state.
He stressed the need for a comprehensive legal strategy to ensure that Tamil Nadu's rights over Cauvery water are fully protected.
The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister S. Anand, Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna, and Energy and Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmalkumar.
Chief Secretary M. Saikumar, Advocate General Vijay Narayan, Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, and Chairman of the Cauvery Technical Cell and Interstate River Water Wing R. Subramanian also participated, with some officials joining through videoconference.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I understand TN's concern, but we also need to be practical. The Supreme Court has already given its judgment and referred it to CWC. Instead of just fighting, why don't we push for a technical solution that ensures equitable sharing? Continuous litigation has cost us taxpayers crores over decades. Time for a fresh approach, not just legal battles.
As someone from Tiruchirappalli, I've seen how our farmers suffer during droughts. Karnataka has been building dams upstream for years, and they're planning to store even more water for power generation. This is not about being anti-Karnataka — it's about our right to survive. 👍
Living in Bangalore, I see both sides. Karnataka has legitimate needs too — drinking water for a growing city and irrigation for drought-prone districts. But Mekedatu at this location could affect the delicate balance. Wish both states could sit down like adults and negotiate without turning every issue into a court case. River disputes need diplomacy, not just legal filings.
I'm a farmer in Thanjavur. Last year, our paddy fields nearly dried up because of low Cauvery flow. Government must do everything possible to protect us. But I also think we need better water management in TN — improving canals, promoting drip irrigation, and storing rainwater. Cannot just blame Karnataka for everything.
The review petition was dismissed, so legally TN is in a weak spot. CM Vijay should focus on building a strong technical case before CWC. If the project doesn't violate the final award, then we
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