What Is the Mekedatu Dam Project Dispute?

Context:
The Mekedatu balancing reservoir project proposed by Karnataka on the Cauvery River has once again come into focus following the State’s decision to submit a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre. The project faces strong opposition from Tamil Nadu, raising issues of inter-State river water sharing, environmental impact, and federal governance, despite a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 on Cauvery water allocation.

Key Highlights:

Project Overview

• Proposed by Karnataka near Mekedatu, around 100 km from Bengaluru.

• Estimated cost: ₹9,000 crore.

• Storage capacity: 67.16 TMC of water.

• Power generation potential: 400 MW (hydropower).

Judicial and Institutional Developments

• The Supreme Court termed Tamil Nadu’s challenge to the project as “premature”.

• This opens the door for:

  • Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)

  • Central Water Commission (CWC)

• To examine the revised DPR before final clearance.

Karnataka’s Rationale

• Bengaluru faces a water deficit of about 500 MLD.

• City’s water demand is projected to rise to 4,000 MLD as population approaches 20 million.

• Karnataka argues that:

  • The project will utilise 4.75 TMC of additional water allocated to it by the 2018 Supreme Court judgment.

  • The reservoir is meant primarily for drinking water security, not irrigation expansion.

Tamil Nadu’s Concerns

• As a lower riparian State, Tamil Nadu fears:

  • Excessive water storage by Karnataka.

  • Reduced and delayed water release during critical agricultural seasons.

• Argues that any unilateral project violates:

  • The spirit of inter-State cooperation

  • The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award

Environmental Concerns

• Project would submerge around 4,996 hectares, including:

  • Forest land

  • Wildlife habitats

• The MoEFCC’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has stressed the need for an amicable inter-State solution before environmental clearance.

Alternative Solutions Highlighted

• Rainwater harvesting: Potential yield of ~15 TMC annually.

• Reuse of treated wastewater: Could supply ~16 TMC annually for Bengaluru.

• These options are cited as less environmentally disruptive alternatives.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Detailed Project Report (DPR):

  • Technical document detailing cost, design, feasibility, and impacts of a project.

• CWMA:

  • Statutory authority to implement the CWDT award and manage Cauvery waters.

• Inter-State River Dispute:

  • Conflict between States over sharing and use of river waters under Article 262.

• CWC (Central Water Commission):

  • Technical body advising the Centre on water resource projects.

Benefits of the Project:

• Enhances urban water security

• Potential renewable energy generation

• Flood moderation during high inflow periods

Challenges:

• Inter-State mistrust

• Ecological damage

• Legal and political hurdles

Impact:

• Tests India’s federal water governance framework

• Implications for future inter-State river projects

Relevant Mains Points:

• Facts & Provisions:

  • Supreme Court’s 2018 Cauvery verdict

  • Role of CWMA and CWC

• Keywords & Static Linkages:

  • Cooperative federalism

  • Riparian rights

  • Sustainable water management

• Environmental Perspective:

  • Forest diversion vs development needs

• Way Forward:

  • Strengthen inter-State dialogue

  • Integrate sustainable urban water solutions

  • Ensure transparent CWMA-led assessment

  • Balance developmental needs with ecological protection

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 2: Polity, Federalism, Inter-State Relations

• GS 3: Environment, Water Resources, Infrastructure

• Prelims: CWMA, DPR, Inter-State river disputes