Parliament Question: Impact of Proposed Mekedatu Dam on Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2055 ANSWERED ON 30.07.2026 IMPACT OF PROPOSED MEKEDATU DAM ON TAMIL NADU 2055. THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Union Government has assessed the likely impact of the State Government of Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu Dam on irrigation, agricultural productivity and the livelihood of Cauvery delta farmers in Tamil Nadu and if so, the findings thereof; (b) whether the Union Government has received representations from the State Government of Tamil Nadu and farmers' organisations opposing the project and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon; (c) whether the Union Government has examined the proposed project's effect on the timely release of Cauvery water for cultivation in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any consultation has been held with the State Government of Tamil Nadu before processing approvals for the project and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken by the Union Government to protect the interests of Cauvery delta farmers and ensure that no project adversely affecting Tamil Nadu's rightful share of river water is approved in violation of existing Tribunal and Supreme Court directions? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) 1(a) Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project, Karnataka submitted in 2019 has been returned to the project authority with the request to submit the revised DPR in compliance with CWDT award and as per the extant CWC guidelines. (b) to (d) The Government of India has taken note of the representations received from the Government of Tamil Nadu and farmers' organisations expressing concerns regarding the possible impacts of the proposed project on the Cauvery Delta region, including drinking water availability in other districts. Representations received in respect of any project are examined, as appropriate, during appraisal of the project in accordance with the applicable procedure. As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment dated 16.02.2018 regarding the Cauvery water dispute, there is no mention that State of Karnataka has to obtain the consent of the other riparian States namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala and UT of Puducherry to construct any kind of structure across river Cauvery. Hon’ble Supreme Court in its Order dated 16.02.2018 has found the Clause XVIII of Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) Award of 2007 appropriate and reiterated in its Order that “Nothing in the order of this Tribunal shall impair the right or power or authority of any State to regulate within its boundaries the use of water or to enjoy the benefit of waters within that State in a manner not inconsistent with the order of this Tribunal”. (e) In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6A of Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956, the Central Government vide Gazette notification dated 01.06.2018 notified the Cauvery Water Management Scheme (CWMS), inter- alia, constituting the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), to give effect to the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, as modified by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 16.02.2018. ***** 2