India Returns Mekedatu Project Report to Karnataka, Requests Revision

The Indian central government has sent back the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir‑cum‑Drinking Water Project to the Karnataka authorities, asking for a revised version that complies with the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) award and existing CWC guidelines. Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary cited representations from the Tamil Nadu government and farmer organisations concerned about potential impacts on the Cauvery Delta and drinking‑water availability. He also referenced the Supreme Court judgment that Karnataka does not need consent from other riparian states to construct structures across the Cauvery, reaffirming the CWDT award clause. The Centre invoked Section 6A of the Inter‑State River Water Disputes Act and a Gazette notification dated 1 June 2018 that established the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to implement tribunal decisions.