DMK Seeks Mekedatu Tribunal, AIADMK Pushes Revival of ₹11,250-Crore Cauvery Project

Tamil Nadu's opposition parties, the DMK and AIADMK , have stepped up pressure on the TVK government and the Centre over key Cauvery-related issues , with the DMK seeking a dedicated tribunal for the Mekedatu dam dispute and the AIADMK demanding the revival of the ₹11,250-crore Nadanthaai Vaazhi Cauvery project .

At a virtual meeting of its MPs chaired by M.K. Stalin ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament , the DMK passed a resolution urging the Centre to immediately constitute a tribunal to resolve the Mekedatu dispute and ensure Karnataka releases Tamil Nadu's rightful share of Cauvery water . The party said farmers had suffered after the Mettur Dam was not opened on its customary date of June 12 and accused Karnataka of withholding water since January 2024 , allegedly violating the Supreme Court's verdict. It also claimed the previous DMK government had blocked discussions on Karnataka's Mekedatu project at the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and removed related environmental clearance proposals from the Union government's agenda. DMK MPs have been directed to raise the issue forcefully in Parliament.

Separately, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to implement the Nadanthaai Vaazhi Cauvery project, conceived by the previous AIADMK government in 2019 to rejuvenate the Cauvery and its tributaries. EPS alleged that the previous DMK government stalled the project despite the Centre approving it and sanctioning ₹935 crore as the first instalment under a 60:40 Centre-State funding pattern . He claimed nearly 30% of Phase I could have been completed had the state released its share on time.

Modelled on the Namami Gange programme, the project aims to curb sewage pollution, establish effluent treatment facilities, and improve water resources across 12 districts . EPS said its implementation would strengthen drinking water supply and irrigation , while criticising the TVK government for failing to advance the project.

The TVK government has not officially responded to either the DMK's demand for a Mekedatu tribunal or the AIADMK's call to revive the Cauvery rejuvenation project.