Mekedatu Dam | 25 Nov 2025

Source: TH

Karnataka has announced that it would submit a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre for the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery river.

• This comes after Tamil Nadu raised concerns over Karnataka's Mekedatu dam, citing Cauvery water disputes, excessive water storage, and irregular water release.

Mekedatu Dam

• About: It involves constructing a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura, Karnataka, at the deep gorge of Mekedatu where the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers meet. 
  • It aims to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and nearby areas and generate 400 MW of hydroelectric power.
• Controversy: Tamil Nadu, the lower riparian state, strongly opposes the project, fearing reduced downstream water flow and is central to the Cauvery River water sharing dispute.

Cauvery River Water Dispute

• About the Dispute: The dispute involves Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. The Cauvery river originates in Karnataka, flows through Tamil Nadu, with major tributaries from Kerala.
• Historical Genesis: The dispute is over 150 years old, originating from 1892 and 1924 agreements between the Madras Presidency and Mysore, that required the upper riparian state (Karnataka) to obtain consent from the lower riparian state (Tamil Nadu) for construction projects.
• Renewed Conflict: A fresh dispute began in 1974 when Karnataka started diverting water without Tamil Nadu's consent, violating previous agreements.
• Resolution Mechanism: The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), established in 1990, delivered its Final Order in 2007, specifying water-sharing among all riparian states. 
  • In the State of Tamil Nadu vs. State of Karnataka (2018), the SC declared the Cauvery river a national asset and largely upheld the CWDT award.
  • The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) was created after the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict to ensure the implementation of the CWDT’s final order.