Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Urges PM Modi on Mekedatu Dam Project Concerns

In a recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expressed his concerns regarding the Mekedatu dam project. He criticized the central government's statement in the Rajya Sabha, which suggested that consent from riparian states was not necessary according to the Supreme Court's ruling. Vijay emphasized the importance of adhering to established laws and requested that no approvals be granted for the project until it complies with the decisions of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court. This appeal highlights ongoing tensions surrounding inter-state water disputes in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2026, 15:45 IST

Chief Minister's Concerns Over Mekedatu Dam

Chennai, July 28 - The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C. Joseph Vijay, expressed his disappointment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a statement made in the Rajya Sabha by the central government. He described it as 'disheartening' that the Supreme Court's ruling on the proposed Mekedatu dam project did not require the consent of the riparian states, particularly Karnataka.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Vijay requested that the response given by the Minister of State for Water Resources on July 27, 2026, concerning inter-state water disputes, be retracted. He emphasized that the established laws and legal principles were not referenced in the response. The Chief Minister pointed out that the Supreme Court had clearly stated in the Almatti case involving Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh that the consent of downstream states is essential for any project.

Vijay urged the Prime Minister to ensure that no approvals are granted for the Mekedatu dam project until it aligns with the decisions of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court's ruling.