Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on November 8, 2026, defended the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, claiming that it would benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka and urging the neighbouring state to cooperate with its implementation.
His remarks came after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposing the project and urging the Centre not to grant statutory or administrative clearances without the consent of other Cauvery basin states. Shivakumar maintained that Karnataka did not require Tamil Nadu’s permission but sought its cooperation, asserting that the project would primarily meet Bengaluru’s drinking water needs while helping regulate the flow of the Cauvery.
The disagreement has once again brought the long-standing inter-state water-sharing dispute between the two states into focus.
A Call For Cooperation
Speaking to reporters in Hassan on Sunday, November 8, Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu’s cooperation was necessary for the project, but its permission was not. Responding to Vijay’s opposition, he said, “I do not need Tamil Nadu’s permission for this project. What we need is its cooperation.”
Questioning the concerns surrounding the proposed reservoir, Shivakumar argued that people in Tamil Nadu had not fully understood its potential benefits. “I think Vijay and the people of Tamil Nadu have not yet understood that the Mekedatu project will benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka,” he said.
The Karnataka Chief Minister maintained that the reservoir would primarily serve Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements and would not give the state an opportunity to draw additional water for irrigation or other purposes. He also invited Tamil Nadu representatives to visit the proposed project site and examine its details.
“If we divert some water from there to Bengaluru for drinking purposes, there is no scope for us to draw any additional water beyond that,” he added.
Shivakumar further reiterated Karnataka’s commitment to honouring the Supreme Court’s direction on releasing 177 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in a normal water year. He maintained that the proposed project would operate within the existing water-sharing framework.
What Is The Dispute?
The Mekedatu project involves constructing a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river near Mekedatu in Kanakapura, Karnataka, close to the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border. The proposed reservoir is designed to have a storage capacity of 67.16 TMC and includes a pumped-storage component capable of generating around 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity. It is also intended to meet Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements and regulate the flow of water downstream.
Karnataka has argued that the reservoir would help store excess water during periods of heavy rainfall and ensure that water can be released in a regulated manner. According to the project’s proposal, it would help Karnataka meet its drinking water requirements while maintaining the obligation to release 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, including the environmental flow allocation.
However, Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, arguing that constructing a large reservoir upstream could affect the state’s access to its legally allocated share of Cauvery water, particularly during years of inadequate rainfall. The state is concerned that regulating the river’s flow through an upstream reservoir could disrupt the monthly water releases on which farmers in the Cauvery delta depend.
The disagreement has a long history rooted in the Cauvery water-sharing dispute. In its February 2018 judgment, the Supreme Court allocated 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in a normal water year and recognised the need to ensure the scheduled deliveries to the lower riparian state. Karnataka has maintained that the proposed project is within its rights, while Tamil Nadu has challenged its implications for the existing water-sharing arrangement.
The latest disagreement intensified after Union Government officials reportedly visited the proposed project site. In a letter dated November 6 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay expressed concern over the inspection and said it had heightened anxiety among farmers already facing difficulties during the 2026–27 deficit water year. He argued that the proposed 67.16 TMC reservoir could affect the flow of water due to Tamil Nadu and its monthly allocations. Vijay urged the Centre not to grant statutory, administrative or technical clearances without the consent of the downstream states. He also referred to Tamil Nadu’s pending legal proceedings and previous objections to the project.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar said Karnataka had identified approximately 5,400 hectares of alternative land to compensate for the forest area that would be submerged by the project. He said the process of securing the necessary environmental-related clearances was underway and that Karnataka would submit the required applications. He also invited Tamil Nadu representatives to visit the proposed site, reiterating that the state would honour its water-sharing commitments.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Mekedatu project highlights the challenges of managing shared water resources between states. While Karnataka’s drinking water needs and Tamil Nadu’s concerns over its water allocation are both important, a lasting solution requires transparency, dialogue and cooperation. Both governments must prioritise the interests of people, farmers and the environment over political differences. Can the two states find common ground through constructive discussions?
