Supreme Court rejects Tamil Nadu’s plea against Mekedatu project

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea by the Tamil Nadu government against the construction of the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project across the Cauvery river by Karnataka, terming it "premature".

While the Karnataka cabinet welcomed the move, Tamil Nadu Water Resources minister Duraimurugan on Thursday reaffirmed that the Tamil Nadu government will protect the rights of delta farmers and clarified that the Supreme Court has not granted approval for the project.

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami called the decision an “unforgivable betrayal” of Tamil Nadu. Describing the Cauvery as the “lifeline of Tamil Nadu,” he said the river supports the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers and supplies drinking water to more than 20 districts. Any diversion or obstruction of its flow, he said, endangered the interests of the State

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria said the plan would be approved only after considering the objections of the State as well as the opinion of the expert bodies, Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

"At this stage, what is being done by the order passed by the CWC is only permitting the preparation of the DPR, that too after taking into consideration the objections of the State of Tamil Nadu, the experts of the CWMA and CWRC.

"It is further to be noted that the CWC had further directed that the prior approval of the CWMA and CWRC would be a prerequisite for the consideration of the DPR. In that view of the matter, we find the present application is at a premature stage," the bench said.

The top court said the final decision by CWC would be made only after preparation for DPR and opinion of CWMA and CWRC.

The top court said Karnataka is bound to release the water in pursuance of the directions of the court and added, "If Karnataka fails to comply with the directions of this court, it faces the risk of committing contempt of the court."

Welcoming the Supreme Court decision, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil told reporters that the state will proceed with the project after getting the green signal from the apex court.

"There was joy in the Cabinet meeting. We had been pursuing the Mekedatu project. We took out a march, fought a political and legal battle. Today the Supreme Court has rejected the petition filed by Tamil Nadu. With that, we now got the green signal to proceed with that Mekedatu project," Patil said.