Chennai, July 19: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has intensified its opposition to the proposed Mekedatu dam project in Karnataka by presenting suspension notices in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The party is calling for an immediate discussion on this critical issue in Parliament.
According to the DMK, the project poses a significant threat to Tamil Nadu‘s water security and the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
The monsoon session of Parliament is set to commence on July 20. In light of this, the DMK has urged the central government to temporarily suspend all scheduled proceedings and prioritize the Mekedatu issue as a matter of urgent public importance.
This move comes amid renewed concerns regarding Karnataka’s long-pending proposal to construct a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River at Mekedatu.
T.R. Baalu, the leader of the DMK parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, submitted the suspension notice, demanding an immediate debate on the project.
In his notice, Baalu argued that Karnataka’s unilateral plan for dam construction would have far-reaching effects on Tamil Nadu, particularly impacting farmers who rely on the Cauvery River’s water. He emphasized that the proposed reservoir could severely affect the state’s share of river water and jeopardize the livelihoods of agricultural communities in the Cauvery delta.
Given the seriousness of the matter, Baalu urged the House to set aside all other agendas and engage in a detailed discussion without delay.
The DMK has consistently maintained that the Mekedatu project cannot proceed without the consent of the lower riparian states and has repeatedly opposed any measures that would reduce the flow of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
The party has also stressed the need for the central government to ensure strict adherence to the decisions of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court‘s directives on water distribution.
In a similar vein, DMK floor leader Tiruchi Shiva submitted a suspension notice in the Rajya Sabha, calling for an immediate discussion on the project’s implications. He argued that the proposed dam would have significant legal, environmental, and agricultural consequences for Tamil Nadu.
These notices reflect the DMK’s coordinated parliamentary strategy to elevate the Mekedatu issue to a national level during the upcoming session.
The party is expected to push for a comprehensive debate and demand intervention from the center to halt Karnataka’s progress on the project until all inter-state concerns are resolved.
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