**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti to Unstarred Question No. 2105 in Lok Sabha, answered on February 12, 2026, regarding the Mekedatu Dam Project. It addresses concerns about the dam's impact and approval status. Key actions include the Central Water Commission publishing guidelines and the receipt of the Detailed Project Report for appraisal. The project authority must obtain all necessary statutory approvals.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Cauvery Water Management:**
* The Central Government established the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) via notification S.O. 2236(E) dated June 1, 2018, under the ISWRD Act, 1956, to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's decision as modified by the Supreme Court's order of February 16, 2018.
* The Central Water Commission (CWC) published guidelines for appraising Water Resources Projects in the Cauvery Basin, ensuring projects in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry conform to the CWDT Award.
* **Mekedatu Dam Project Status:**
* The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu Dam has been received by the Central Water Commission (CWC) from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for appraisal.
* The project authority is required to obtain all statutory approvals, including environmental clearance, from relevant departments before project implementation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers in Cauvery Delta Districts (particularly in Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha Constituency)**
* **Impact:** Potential adverse impact on farming operations and livelihoods due to the construction of the dam.
* **Action Required:** No specific action required, but the document indirectly addresses their concerns by outlining the established frameworks for water management and project appraisal.
**Stakeholder: Project Authority (Responsible for Mekedatu Dam)**
* **Impact:** Obligation to adhere to the Cauvery Water Management Scheme and guidelines. The project is subject to evaluation under the published guidelines of the Central Water Commission (CWC) and conforming to the CWDT Award.
* **Action Required:** Must obtain all statutory approvals, including environmental clearance, from concerned departments before implementing the project.
**Stakeholder: Central Water Commission (CWC)**
* **Impact:** Responsibility for appraising the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu Dam and ensuring compliance with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award and relevant guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Conduct a thorough appraisal of the DPR.
**Stakeholder: Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)**
* **Impact:** Authority involved in Cauvery water management scheme.
* **Action Required:** No action required. The CWMA has already submitted the DPR.
Key Entities Referenced
Mekedatu Dam Project: The proposed dam project on the Cauvery River that is the subject of the parliamentary question.
Cauvery River: The river on which the Mekedatu Dam is proposed to be built.
ISWRD Act, 1956: Act under which powers are exercised to establish the Cauvery Water Management Scheme.
Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA): Authority constituted under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme.
Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC): Committee constituted under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2105
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
MEKEDATU DAM PROJECT
2105. KM. SUDHA R:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that building any new dam across Cauvery River upstream, particularly in Karnataka
would adversely impact farming operations and hit the livelihoods of farmers in Cauvery Delta districts
particularly in Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Union Government has given its in-principle nod to build a new dam by name ‘Mekedatu’
across the River Cauvery and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Union Government has provided environmental clearance for Mekedatu dam project and if
so, the details and current status thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (c) In exercise of the powers conferred by section 6A of ISWRD Act, 1956 the Central
Government notified vide notification number S.O. 2236(E) dated 01,June, 2018 the Cauvery Water
Management Scheme, 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, February 2018.
Further, Central Water Commission (CWC) has recently published the guidelines for "Appraisal of
Water Resources Projects in the Cauvery Basin" to streamline the process of approval of Water Resources
Projects falling under Cauvery Basin for the state of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry
ensuring conformity or otherwise of the proposed water utilization in the project vis-à-vis the CWDT
Award (as modified by the Hon’ble Supreme Court).
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been received in Central Water Commission (CWC) from
Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for appraisal.
The project authority is required to take all statutory approvals including environmental clearance
from concerned departments before implementation of the project.
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