Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has stated that the proposed 67.16 TMC Mekedatu reservoir project is in the best interest of Tamil Nadu. While Karnataka seeks to secure Bengaluru's drinking water, the project faces strong opposition from the neighboring state over water allocation concerns. The project remains stalled as both states navigate complex legal and inter-state river water disputes.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has again defended the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, claiming that it would serve the interests of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Speaking on August 26, 2026, Shivakumar stated that 5 TMC of the stored water is intended for Bengaluru’s drinking needs, while the remaining capacity would be released downstream, potentially benefiting Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He framed the project as a way to capture surplus monsoon water that currently flows unused into the sea.
The Mekedatu project is a significant infrastructure proposal designed to feature a 67.16 TMC balancing reservoir and a 400 MW hydroelectric power plant. The state government argues that the dam would help manage water flows more effectively and provide a reliable water source for the growing urban population of Bengaluru.
Despite these arguments, the project faces persistent resistance from Tamil Nadu. The state continues to express concerns that the construction of the dam could grant Karnataka too much control over Cauvery river flows, potentially threatening its legal share of water as mandated by the judiciary. In June 2026, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution opposing the construction of the reservoir, highlighting the deep political and legal divide between the two states.
Beyond the political dispute, the project faces material execution risks. The original project cost was estimated at ₹9,000 crore in 2018, but this figure is currently under revision due to inflation, material costs, and project delays. Furthermore, the construction site would impact approximately 12,546 acres of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. Obtaining environmental and forest clearances remains a major hurdle, and failure to secure these could lead to significant cost increases and project delays.
The project is currently tied up in legal complexities, with the Supreme Court serving as the primary arbiter for ongoing Cauvery water disputes. The key monitorable for the coming months will be the status of any tripartite negotiations and future legal filings in the Supreme Court. The ultimate viability of the project will depend on whether it can navigate the necessary environmental clearances and achieve inter-state consensus, which remain the primary barriers to construction.