Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Farmers Announce Five-Day Mekedatu Dam Protest
Tamil Nadu farmers are planning a five-day protest against a proposed dam in Karnataka.
The dam would be built at Mekedatu across the Cauvery River.
The protest is scheduled to begin on September 20 at Poompuhar.
Farmers’ leader P R Pandian says the project could harm farming in both states.
He also says Karnataka’s project report does not have all the required approvals.
The farmers want the Central government to stop environmental and forest clearances.
They say the dam would not provide meaningful benefits to farmers in Karnataka.
Instead, they support building a dam at Rasimanal in Tamil Nadu.
Pandian said farmers from both states agreed on that alternative in 2024.
The Coordination Committee of All Farmers’ Associations of Tamil Nadu announced a five-day statewide campaign beginning September 20.
The protest will oppose Karnataka’s proposed dam across the Cauvery River at Mekedatu.
Farmers’ leader P R Pandian called Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report legally invalid and lacking required consent from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
The farmers’ body urged the Central government to deny environmental and forest clearances for the project.
Pandian proposed a dam at Rasimanal in Tamil Nadu as an alternative, saying farmers from both states supported the site in a 2024 meeting.
- Who
- The Coordination Committee of All Farmers’ Associations of Tamil Nadu, led by P R Pandian.
- What
- A five-day statewide campaign opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery River.
- When
- The campaign is scheduled to begin on September 20; the announcement followed a five-hour meeting on Friday.
- Where
- The campaign will start at Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu; the meeting with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar took place in Gurugram.
- Why
- The farmers oppose the dam over alleged legal deficiencies, possible effects on agriculture, and the absence of required consent and clearances.
Farmers’ opposition
Project rationale
Need for the dam
Farmers’ opposition
P R Pandian said the Mekedatu dam would not benefit farmers and could damage agriculture in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Project rationale
The project has been presented as a way to store water for drinking-water needs during scarcity periods.
Approvals and legality
Farmers’ opposition
The farmers’ body called Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report fraudulent and legally invalid because it allegedly lacks required consent from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
Project rationale
Karnataka has submitted a Detailed Project Report to the Central Water Commission, but the article does not provide a response from Karnataka on the farmers’ objections.
Proposed alternative
Farmers’ opposition
The farmers support constructing a dam at Rasimanal in Tamil Nadu, saying farmers from both states reached a consensus on the site in 2024.
Project rationale
The article does not report a response from Karnataka or the Central government on the Rasimanal proposal.
- Protesting organization
- Coordination Committee of All Farmers’ Associations of Tamil Nadu
- Campaign duration
- Five days
- Start date
- September 20
- Project opposed
- Proposed Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery River
- Required consents cited
- Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Cauvery Water Management Authority
- Alternative site proposed
- Rasimanal in Tamil Nadu
- Meeting with minister
- A five-hour meeting with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Gurugram