The Tamil Nadu government has approached the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking directions to restrain Karnataka from proceeding with any activity at the proposed Mekedatu dam site, including the planned 'bhoomi puja' (groundbreaking ceremony).
Tamil Nadu's plea against Mekedatu project
In its application, Tamil Nadu has sought a declaration that Karnataka's move to take up the Mekedatu project on the inter-state Cauvery river without prior environmental clearance, as required under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006, is unilateral, unauthorised, and illegal. The state has contended that the project, if pursued without mandatory clearances, would cause serious prejudice to Tamil Nadu and affect the rights of inhabitants guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
"Tamil Nadu government has moved the NGT with a prayer to declare the unilateral, indiscriminate, and unauthorised action of taking up the Mekedatu project as illegal, arbitrary, and unjust and liable to be set aside," said an official source. The state has requested the tribunal to restrain Karnataka and other respondents from taking any steps at the site, including conducting bhoomi puja, until clearances are obtained under the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and notifications issued under it.
Background of the dispute
The move comes against the backdrop of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's statement that the state would soon submit a detailed project report to the Union government and conduct a bhoomi puja after receiving the Centre's approval. The announcement triggered protests by Cauvery delta farmers, who contend that the proposed dam would intercept uncontrolled flows from intermediate catchment areas downstream of the Krishnarajasagar dam and Biligundulu at the inter-state border.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court rejected Tamil Nadu's petition seeking a review of its earlier order in November on a miscellaneous application related to the Mekedatu dam. The court said the petition was premature, noting that the Central Water Commission would take a final decision only after considering the detailed project report and the views of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.
