AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday strongly criticised Karnataka’s renewed push for the Mekedatu dam project, alleging that its sole objective was to “convert Tamil Nadu into a desert” by restricting downstream Cauvery flows.
His remarks followed Karnataka’s decision to constitute an expert committee to advance the project after a recent Supreme Court direction to examine certain technical aspects, a move that has raised fresh concerns in Tamil Nadu.
Palaniswami warned that the proposed reservoir, located near the inter-state border, would allow Karnataka greater control over water releases, potentially affecting irrigation, drinking water supply and agriculture across Cauvery delta districts.
He accused the ruling DMK government of failing to exert sufficient pressure at the Cauvery Management Authority and the Centre to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests.
The Mekedatu project has long remained a contentious inter-state issue, with Tamil Nadu consistently opposing it on the grounds that it violates established Cauvery water-sharing agreements and threatens the state’s long-term water security.