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25 June 2026

Mekedatu dam project dispute

The Mekedatu dam project is a significant inter-state water dispute involving federalism, constitutional mechanisms for dispute redressal, and the management of natural resources, which are core themes in the UPSC syllabus.

2 min read Day 2 of 26 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Mekedatu project involves a proposed drinking water-cum-balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river, located 100 km from Bengaluru.
  • Project specifications: 67.16 TMC ft capacity, 400 MW hydro power component, no irrigation component.
  • Karnataka claims the project will regulate flood flows from upstream reservoirs (Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini) to the downstream Mettur dam.
  • Tamil Nadu opposes the project, citing the Cauvery as a deficit river and expressing a trust deficit regarding water sharing.
  • Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Nadu's petition to review a 2025 decision, terming the challenge to the dam as 'premature'.
  • The 2018 Supreme Court judgment on the Cauvery dispute sanctioned an additional 4.75 TMC for Bengaluru's drinking water needs.
  • Tamil Nadu has demanded a tribunal to examine the project, citing the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, which requires the Centre to be convinced that disputes cannot be settled through negotiation before forming a tribunal.
  • No bilateral or multi-stakeholder meetings between the two States on the Mekedatu issue have occurred in the last 15 years.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 26 in Mekedatu dam project dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which has been running since 21 June 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Examine the challenges in resolving inter-state river water disputes in India, with specific reference to the role of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act in facilitating negotiations versus adjudication. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The 'trust deficit' between riparian states often hinders the implementation of water infrastructure projects. Discuss the constitutional and institutional mechanisms available to balance the competing interests of upstream and downstream states in the management of inter-state river basins. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, what is the primary condition for the Union government to establish a tribunal for a water dispute?

  2. What is the primary purpose of the proposed Mekedatu project as per the Detailed Project Report?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-06-25/mekedatu-dam-project-dispute