Karnataka is willing to hold a bilateral dialogue with Tamil Nadu on the long-pending Mekedatu balancing reservoir project if the neighbouring State comes forward for discussions, Major Irrigation Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on June 20.

Emphasising that the proposed project would not adversely affect Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water, Mr. Reddy said the reservoir would, in fact, help regulate river flow, and ensure more efficient release to the downstream State.

“We are ready for a dialogue with Tamil Nadu. Our Chief Minister has already announced that Karnataka is willing to talk if Tamil Nadu comes forward,” Mr. Reddy said.

Renewed debate

The Minister’s remarks come amid renewed political debate over the project. On June 19, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopting a resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay opposing the Karnataka government’s proposal to construct a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu.

Mr. Reddy, citing recent developments in the judiciary, pointed out that the Supreme Court had rejected Tamil Nadu’s challenge to Karnataka’s proposal, and subsequently dismissed a review petition filed by the neighbouring State.

He said Karnataka has proposed the Mekedatu project within its territory across the Cauvery river primarily to meet the drinking water requirements of the Bengaluru region, regulate release to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu, and generate 400 MW of hydroelectric power.

The project envisages utilisation of 4.75 thousand million cubic feet (TMC ft) of water for drinking purposes in Bengaluru and surrounding areas.

Supreme Court verdict

Tamil Nadu had approached the Supreme Court through a miscellaneous application in 2018 questioning Karnataka’s right to proceed with the project. In its judgment delivered on November 13, 2025, the apex court rejected the plea, holding that the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) were the competent expert bodies to examine such matters.

The court also observed that no State could interfere with the use of water allocated to another State unless such action reduced the quantity of water allotted to it. A review petition filed by Tamil Nadu was subsequently dismissed on April 15, 2026, the Minister noted.

Mr. Reddy said these rulings had effectively removed the legal obstacles facing the project. “Karnataka has crossed all legal impediments. We have already submitted the detailed project report to the Central Water Commission, and various directorates of the Commission are examining it,” he said.

‘No threat to Tamil Nadu’s share’

The Minister reiterated that Karnataka remained bound by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award, as modified by the Supreme Court in 2018, to ensure annual release of 177.25 TMC ft of water to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu in a normal water year.

“There is no threat whatsoever to the 177.25 TMC ft that Karnataka has to ensure annually to Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Maintaining that the project was being pursued within the legal framework laid down by courts and statutory authorities, Mr. Reddy said Karnataka would utilise any opportunity for dialogue to resolve the issue amicably.

He urged the Centre and the Central Water Commission to expedite examination of the detailed project report, arguing that the project would serve both developmental and water-management objectives without affecting Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery water.