The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the review petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the approval of the Mekedatu project in Karnataka. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi also rejected the state's application for an open court hearing in the matter.
Background of the case
The Mekedatu project, proposed by Karnataka, aims to build a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river near the border with Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, arguing that it would affect the water flow to the state and violate the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier filed a review petition before the apex court after its earlier plea was dismissed.
Court's decision
The bench, while dismissing the review petition, observed that there was no merit in the arguments raised by Tamil Nadu. The court also turned down the request for an open court hearing, stating that the matter had been sufficiently considered. The order was passed in chambers.
This decision comes as a setback for the Tamil Nadu government, which has been consistently opposing the project on the grounds of water security for the state. The state had argued that the project would reduce the availability of Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu farmers and disrupt the existing water-sharing arrangement.
Reactions and implications
The Karnataka government welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, stating that the project is essential for meeting the drinking water needs of Bengaluru and surrounding areas. The project is expected to cost around Rs 9,000 crore and will have a storage capacity of about 67 tmcft.
Tamil Nadu officials expressed disappointment and said that the state would explore other legal options to protect its water interests. The state has been fighting for its rightful share of Cauvery water for decades, and this project has been a major point of contention between the two states.
The Mekedatu project has been a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with both states claiming rights over the river's waters. The Supreme Court's dismissal of the review petition effectively clears the way for Karnataka to proceed with the project, subject to other regulatory approvals.
