Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to Discuss Mekedatu Dam Controversy with PM Modi on November 16

Chennai, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to travel to New Delhi on November 16 to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussion will focus on the proposed Mekedatu Dam in Karnataka, a project that has intensified ongoing disputes between the two states regarding the Cauvery River.

This meeting comes in response to a letter Vijay sent to Modi on November 7, outlining the serious implications for Tamil Nadu if Karnataka proceeds with the dam’s construction. In his correspondence, he urged the central government not to approve the project without Tamil Nadu’s consent.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, however, maintains that his government does not require permission from Tamil Nadu to construct the dam within its own borders. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he claimed that the Supreme Court has granted Karnataka the go-ahead, provided the state adheres to its obligations regarding water release. Shivakumar assured that Karnataka would comply with its commitment to supply Tamil Nadu with 177 TMC of water annually.

He expressed hope that Vijay would grasp the legal context and reiterated that Karnataka does not need anyone’s approval for the proposed dam. Shivakumar argued that the project would also benefit Tamil Nadu by creating a reservoir for water storage, which could be utilized during droughts.

He mentioned that leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance in Karnataka have backed the proposal. Furthermore, he revealed that 5,400 hectares of additional land has been identified for the necessary forest land compensation, and work related to this is underway.

Shivakumar called for cooperation between the two states instead of conflict, suggesting that Vijay send a delegation to Karnataka to assess the project firsthand.

In response, Tamil Nadu’s Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand dismissed Karnataka’s stance, insisting that the Tamil Nadu government will oppose the dam under all circumstances. He emphasized that the situation is not as Shivakumar describes.

The controversy escalated recently when PM Modi visited Karnataka to inaugurate projects worth ₹15,600 crores, during which Shivakumar sought the Prime Minister’s support for the Mekedatu project. Addressing the gathering in Modi’s presence, Shivakumar claimed that the Supreme Court had made its position clear, asserting that no one could prevent Karnataka from building the dam. He urged the central government to provide the necessary environmental and forest clearances, expressing hope for their cooperation.

Vijay’s upcoming trip to Delhi is expected to bring Tamil Nadu’s objections directly to PM Modi, with the primary focus of their discussions being the dam and its impact on water availability from the Cauvery River.