01Polity & Governance·8 min read·Prelims · Mains
Furore over the Mekedatu project
This article is highly relevant for UPSC and state PSC exams as it deals with inter-state river water disputes, a key topic under the Constitution (Article 262) and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act. Prelims may test the legal framework and tribunal mechanism; mains can ask about cooperative federalism, water governance, and dispute resolution mechanisms. TNPSC and KPSC aspirants must track this as it directly concerns their states.
- The Mekedatu project is a ₹9,000-crore drinking water-cum-balancing reservoir proposed by Karnataka on the Cauvery river at Mekedatu, about 100 km from Bengaluru, impounding 67.16 TMC ft with a 400 MW hydro component and no irrigation component.
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution against the project, and the state has formally requested the Centre to constitute a tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act to examine the project.
- The Supreme Court in November 2025 dismissed Tamil Nadu's petition to review Karnataka's Mekedatu proposal, calling the challenge 'premature'.