Mekedatu row: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay writes to PM Modi; challenges Centre’s 'no consent needed' reply

Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay wrote to PM Modi opposing Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery river.

Vijay challenged the Centre's claim that Karnataka does not need consent from lower riparian states under the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment.

Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary told Rajya Sabha that the 2018 verdict contains no provision requiring Karnataka to secure approval from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, or Puducherry.

Vijay cited the Supreme Court's ruling in the Alamatti dam dispute to argue that downstream state consent is necessary for projects affecting river flows.

The Tamil Nadu CM also referenced the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award, stating that projects altering regulated flow must comply with the award.