DMK MPs urges Centre to constitute tribunal for Mekedatu

DMK MPs on Thursday (July 16, 2026) urged the BJP-led Union government to constitute a tribunal to resolve the dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the proposed construction of a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu and to prevail upon the Karnataka government to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. A resolution to this effect was adopted at a virtual meeting of the MPs, attended among others by party president M.K. Stalin from London.

The resolution said Karnataka had failed to comply with the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by not releasing Tamil Nadu’s due share of water. “The Mettur Dam could not be opened because of Karnataka’s recalcitrant stand. This has caused enormous hardship to farmers,” a resolution adopted at the meeting said.

The resolution further stated that as long as the DMK was in power, it had prevented Karnataka from proceeding with the construction of the Mekedatu dam. “Our leader, M.K. Stalin, succeeded in persuading the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to reject Karnataka’s proposal seeking permission for the construction of the dam and ensured that the Cauvery Water Management Authority returned the detailed project report,” the resolution said.

Another resolution said the DMK MPs in both Houses of Parliament would raise their voice in support of issues concerning Tamil Nadu.