Tamil NaduThursday, 18 June 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s Mekedatu stand: tribunal demand under Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
Tamil Nadu has sought a tribunal on the Mekedatu project, citing the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and Sections 2(c), 3 and 4 of the 1956 Act.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In March 2026, the Tamil Nadu government asked the Union government to constitute a tribunal on Karnataka’s Mekedatu project, arguing that it is beyond the 2007 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment.
Key specifics
- Mekedatu was said to be absent from the 28 projects listed in the CWDT report, volume IV, pages 173-175.
- The 28 projects were assessed by the tribunal to irrigate about 18.85 lakh acres in Karnataka.
- Tamil Nadu cited Section 2(c) and Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to classify the issue as a water dispute.
- The State also invoked Section 4 of the 1956 Act, which provides for constitution of a tribunal by the Centre.
- The catchment contribution between Kabini and Billigundulu was assessed at 80 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) on average.
Exam lens
Polity and river-water disputes question type: CWDT 2007, Supreme Court 2018, Sections 2(c), 3 and 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, Mekedatu, Kabini-Billigundulu, 18.85 lakh acres — TNPSC may ask which legal provision allows tribunal constitution.