Tamil Nadu Pushes for Cauvery Water Rights in High-Level Meeting

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan met Union Jalshakti Minister CR Patil and other officials to address issues concerning the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka. The meeting focused on urging the release of monthly Cauvery water as per the 2018 Supreme Court order and opposing Karnataka's Mekedatu reservoir project.

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan on Thursday engaged in high-level discussions with Union Jalshakti Minister CR Patil to address pressing water resource issues of the southern state. The focal point was the ongoing Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka.

Duraimurugan also met with Union Ministers of State for Jalshakti, V Somanna and Raj Bhushan Chaudhary in New Delhi. According to an official release from Chennai, the Tamil Nadu minister submitted a memorandum to the central ministers, urging intervention to ensure Karnataka releases the monthly quantum of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu in compliance with the 2018 Supreme Court order.

Additionally, Tamil Nadu appealed to the Centre to block approval for Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River, citing potential adverse impacts on Tamil Nadu's water supply. The state also highlighted the need for central funds and support for the Cauvery-Gundar river linking project.

(With inputs from agencies.)