NationalFriday, 19 June 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s Mekedatu stand: why the State wants a tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act
Tamil Nadu has sought a new tribunal on the Mekedatu project, arguing it falls under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In March 2026, Tamil Nadu sent a communication to the Union government seeking a tribunal on the Mekedatu project, arguing that the proposal is beyond the 2007 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and the 2018 Supreme Court judgment.
Key specifics
- Tamil Nadu said Mekedatu does not figure in the 28 projects listed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT).
- The 28 projects were considered by the CWDT 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.
- The State also requested a tribunal under Section 4 of the Act at the earliest.
- The catchment contribution between Kabini and Billigundulu was assessed at 80 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) on average.
Exam lens
Polity and river-water dispute question type: CWDT award, Sections 2(c), 3 and 4 of the 1956 Act, 28 projects, 18.85 lakh acres, and 80 TMC are the key MCQ points for TNPSC.