Centre Reaffirms Stance on Mekedatu Dam Project in Lok Sabha
The Union government has maintained its position on the proposed Mekedatu dam project, telling the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the 2018 Supreme Court ruling does not state that Karnataka must obtain consent from downstream riparian states to build structures on the Cauvery river. The statement by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary reiterates a similar response provided in the Rajya Sabha earlier the same week.
What Happened
During the Lok Sabha session, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran asked about the potential consequences of the proposed Mekedatu dam project in Tamil Nadu. Responding to the query, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary referenced the Supreme Court’s February 2018 judgment concerning the Cauvery river water dispute.
Minister Choudhary stated that based on the relevant clause in the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal cited by the court, there is no requirement for Karnataka to obtain permission from other riparian states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry—to build structures across the Cauvery river. He noted, however, that the central government has received representations from the Tamil Nadu government and farmers’ organizations expressing concerns about potential impacts on the Cauvery delta and drinking water supplies in other districts.
Key Highlights
- Lok Sabha Clarification: Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary presented the Centre’s response following a query from DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran.
- Supreme Court Ruling Cited: The Centre highlighted that the February 2018 Supreme Court judgment, citing the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award, does not mention a requirement for Karnataka to seek consent from lower riparian states for construction.
- Objections Raised: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay previously objected to the minister’s Rajya Sabha reply and wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting its withdrawal.
- Legal Arguments: CM Vijay contended that the project cannot be evaluated solely as an engineering proposal, highlighting tribunal clauses that prohibit upper riparian states from taking actions that affect scheduled water deliveries or the regulated flow regime.
Why This Matters
The issue reflects ongoing legal and administrative discussions between riparian states regarding river water sharing and infrastructure construction. While Karnataka proposes the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery to address drinking water needs in Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu representatives argue that upper riparian projects must be evaluated for consistency with tribunal awards to protect scheduled downstream water deliveries.
What to Watch Next
Future developments depend on any action or official response regarding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the withdrawal of the reply, alongside further statutory scrutiny regarding the project’s alignment with the tribunal award.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the proposed Mekedatu dam?
Karnataka plans to construct the dam across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu primarily to fulfill the drinking water requirements of Bengaluru.
What is the Union government’s stance on obtaining consent from downstream states?
The Centre stated in Parliament that the February 2018 Supreme Court ruling on the Cauvery dispute does not mention a requirement for Karnataka to secure consent from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, or Puducherry before building structures on the river.
What concerns have been raised by Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, along with local farmers’ groups, raised concerns that the project could impact drinking water availability and the Cauvery delta, arguing that tribunal awards prohibit upper riparian states from altering scheduled deliveries to lower riparian states.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.