Karnataka Cannot Build Mekedatu Dam Without Centre Approval: Minister

The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, has asserted that Karnataka cannot proceed with constructing a dam at Mekedatu without obtaining approval from the central government. The clarification emerged during a meeting with Karnataka's Water Resources Minister N. Anand, signalling the need for interstate coordination on the contentious project.

The Mekedatu project has long been a point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the downstream state raising concerns about water availability and environmental impacts. The dam, proposed across the Cauvery River, requires adherence to established water-sharing agreements and interstate protocols before any construction can commence.

Patil's statement underscores the Centre's regulatory role in mediating water disputes between states and ensuring compliance with existing treaties and environmental clearances. The Cauvery Waters Disputes Tribunal Award and subsequent Supreme Court orders have established frameworks that must guide any new water management projects in the river basin.

The meeting between the two ministers reflects ongoing efforts to address Karnataka's aspirations for the project while respecting existing legal and interstate commitments. Any progress on Mekedatu would require consensus among all stakeholders, including Tamil Nadu and the central government.