Karnataka is willing to sit down for bilateral talks with Tamil Nadu on the long-pending Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, provided the neighbouring state comes forward, Major Irrigation Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on June 20. Reddy stressed that the proposed project wouldn’t cut into Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water if anything, he said, the reservoir would help regulate river flow and make releases to the downstream state more efficient. “We are ready for a dialogue with Tamil Nadu. Our Chief Minister has already announced that Karnataka is willing to talk if Tamil Nadu comes forward,” Reddy said.
Digging old graves
Reddy’s comments come against the backdrop of fresh political friction over the project. Just a day earlier, on June 19, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay opposing Karnataka’s plan to build a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu.
Reddy pointed to recent judicial developments, noting that the Supreme Court had already turned down Tamil Nadu’s challenge to Karnataka’s proposal, and later dismissed a review petition the state had filed as well.
He said Karnataka’s plan is to build the Mekedatu project entirely within its own territory on the Cauvery, mainly to address Bengaluru’s drinking water needs, regulate the flow released to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu, and generate 400 MW of hydroelectric power. The project is designed to draw 4.75 thousand million cubic feet (TMC ft) of water for drinking purposes in Bengaluru and the surrounding region.
What the Apex Court ruled-
Tamil Nadu had taken the matter to the Supreme Court through a miscellaneous application back in 2018, contesting Karnataka’s right to go ahead with the project. The court ruled on November 13, 2025, rejecting Tamil Nadu’s plea and holding that the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) were the appropriate expert bodies to assess such matters. It also noted that no state can interfere with water allocated to another state unless doing so would reduce the quantity that state is entitled to. Tamil Nadu’s subsequent review petition was dismissed on April 15, 2026, Reddy noted.
According to Reddy, these rulings have cleared away the legal hurdles standing in the project’s way. “Karnataka has crossed all legal impediments. We have already submitted the detailed project report to the Central Water Commission, and various directorates of the Commission are examining it,” he said.
Tamil Nadu can rest assured
Reddy reaffirmed that Karnataka remains bound by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award, as modified by the Supreme Court in 2018, which requires it to release 177.25 TMC ft of water annually to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu in a normal water year. “There is no threat whatsoever to the 177.25 TMC ft that Karnataka has to ensure annually to Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Reddy maintained that the project is being pursued strictly within the legal framework set out by courts and statutory bodies, and said Karnataka would welcome any chance for dialogue to settle the matter amicably. He also urged the Centre and the Central Water Commission to speed up their review of the detailed project report, arguing that the project would serve both development and water-management goals without touching Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery water.
Key Takeaway: The Mekedatu balancing reservoir project continues to remain a subject of inter-State discussion, with Karnataka reiterating its willingness to hold bilateral talks with Tamil Nadu while maintaining that the project is being pursued within the legal framework laid down by courts and statutory authorities. The State has asserted that the project will not affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery water and has urged the Centre and the Central Water Commission to expedite examination of the detailed project report.
M.C.Q.
Question 1: The proposed Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project is planned on which river?
- A. Krishna
- B. Godavari
- C. Cauvery
- D. Tungabhadra
Question 2: According to the Supreme Court, which bodies are responsible for examining the Mekedatu project?
- A. NITI Aayog and Ministry of Jal Shakti
- B. Central Water Commission (CWC) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)
- C. National Green Tribunal and CPCB
- D. Inter-State Council and Finance Commission
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