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Tamil Nadu CM appeals to PM Modi over Karnataka's Mekedatu dam plan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concerns over a proposed central government site inspection related to Karnataka's Mekedatu dam project on the Kaveri River.

LSN India · 7 November 2026

Tamil Nadu CM appeals to PM Modi over Karnataka's Mekedatu dam plan

Stalin raised objections to the planned inspection in his letter to Modi, citing potential impacts on Tamil Nadu's water security and agricultural interests. The Mekedatu dam project, proposed by the Karnataka government, has been a point of contention between the two states for years, with Tamil Nadu arguing that the structure could adversely affect its share of Kaveri waters.

The interstate dispute over the Kaveri River and its water allocation has been a longstanding source of tension between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu, which relies heavily on Kaveri waters for irrigation and drinking purposes, has consistently opposed Karnataka's dam construction plans, viewing them as a threat to its water entitlements.

Statin's letter to the Prime Minister represents the latest escalation in the ongoing dispute. The Tamil Nadu government has sought to escalate the matter to the central government level, urging it to reconsider the proposed inspection before any site visits take place.

The Kaveri River dispute remains one of India's most complex interstate water-sharing conflicts, with both states holding firm positions on their respective claims and rights to the river's waters. The central government's role in adjudicating such disputes underscores the need for a balanced approach that considers the legitimate interests of all stakeholders.