Supreme Court to consider Karnataka's plea on September 23 over construction of Mekedatu project

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider on September 23, 2025 a plea by Karnataka highlighting an urgent need to begin the construction of the proposed Mekedatu project.

The state contended any delay would cause a significant escalation in the project’s cost, which has already increased from Rs 9,000 Crores in 2019 to Rs 14,500 Crores in 2023-24.

A bench of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran decided to examine the plea by Karnataka on a mentioning made by advocate Nishanth Patil.

The counsel pointed out the matter was last listed before the court on September 21, 2023, and it was then directed to be listed after two weeks. However, the matter has not been taken up for hearing since then.

"List on 23.09.2025, high up on the Board," the bench said in its order.

The state government filed an application for early hearing on August 28, stating that 'Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water project’ is crucial for alleviating the severe water distress and meeting the drinking water needs of millions of residents in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region.

"The project is of vital importance to regulate monthly stipulated releases to Tamil Nadu in a normal year at Biligundlu in accordance with the final order of Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal as modified by the judgment of the Supreme court on February 16, 2018," the plea said.

It is important to utilise 4.75 TMC (consumptive use) of water for meeting the drinking water needs of Bangalore Metropolitan Region as allocated by this court, the state said.

The plea also pointed out generation of 400 MW of Hydro Power annually out of the flows to be ensured at the inter-state border, Biligundlu.

Karnataka also stated respondent State of Tamil Nadu has filed a miscellaneous application wrongly questioning the proposed construction of the ‘Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water project’ as contrary to the directions of the Supreme Court's judgment of 2018.

"The applications filed by the State of Tamil Nadu is clearly not maintainable. Even otherwise, the project would not cause any injury or damage to the downstream interests of Tamil Nadu. Rather, the project is in the interest of both the States. This is evident from the objects of the proposed project," it said.

The state also maintained that there has been continuous pressure from the public by padayatra, etc, to construct the proposed project.

"The public has been stating that there is no legal impediment to start the construction of the dam. The public has also been saying that the delay in the construction will escalate the cost. In fact, it has already escalated," it said.