Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Karnataka To Submit Mekedatu DPR by August 15, Minister Says
Two states in India, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, are having a disagreement about a river called the Cauvery.
Karnataka wants to build a big water storage place called the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir.
The minister in charge of water in Karnataka said Tamil Nadu cannot stop the project.
He said only the national government in New Delhi can give permission.
He said Karnataka will send its big project plan, called a DPR, to the national government by August 15.
The minister also said the highest court in India, the Supreme Court, rejected the legal cases from Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka says the project will give drinking water to the big city of Bengaluru and make electricity.
Tamil Nadu is worried that the project will take water from the Cauvery river that the state needs.
The two states will keep discussing the issue, and Karnataka's Assembly will talk about it starting August 13.
Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy said Tamil Nadu has no power to stop the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir project.
Karnataka will submit the revised Detailed Project Report to the Centre by August 15 after incorporating the Union government's clarifications.
Reddy asserted that only the Central government can grant permission for the project.
The Minister claimed the Supreme Court quashed the legal petitions filed by Tamil Nadu against the project.
Tamil Nadu opposes the project over Cauvery river water-sharing concerns, while Karnataka says it will supply drinking water to Bengaluru and generate hydroelectric power.
- Who
- Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy, the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments, the Central government, and the Supreme Court.
- What
- Karnataka will submit the revised Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir to the Centre by August 15, and Reddy asserted that Tamil Nadu cannot stop the project.
- When
- Statement made on Wednesday; DPR submission planned by August 15; Karnataka Assembly session begins August 13.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India; the project concerns the Cauvery river shared with Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Karnataka says the reservoir will provide drinking water to Bengaluru and generate hydroelectric power, while Tamil Nadu opposes it over Cauvery water-sharing concerns.
Karnataka's Position
Tamil Nadu's Position
Authority to approve the project
Karnataka's Position
Tamil Nadu has no power to stop the project; only the Central government can grant permission, and the Supreme Court has quashed Tamil Nadu's petitions.
Tamil Nadu's Position
Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the proposal and pursued legal challenges against it, which Karnataka's minister says were dismissed.
Impact on Cauvery water sharing
Karnataka's Position
The reservoir will provide drinking water to Bengaluru and generate power without violating existing water-sharing arrangements.
Tamil Nadu's Position
The project raises concerns over the sharing of Cauvery river waters, which is why Tamil Nadu opposes it.
- Project
- Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir
- DPR submission deadline
- August 15
- Key official
- Ramalinga Reddy, Karnataka Water Resources Minister
- Approval authority
- Central government only, per Minister Reddy
- Assembly session
- Begins August 13 in Bengaluru
- Karnataka's stated purpose
- Drinking water for Bengaluru and hydroelectric power
- Tamil Nadu's concern
- Sharing of Cauvery river waters
- Legal status (per Minister)
- Supreme Court quashed Tamil Nadu's petitions