Vijay's Cauvery diplomacy begins
Cauvery water dispute: Can Vijay-DK Shivakumar talks break deadlock?
Acute water shortage on both sides, falling crop acreage, and the contentious Mekedatu project set the stage for CM Vijay's first major inter-state test since taking office
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay is expected to travel to Bengaluru in the first week of August for crucial talks with Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over the Cauvery water dispute and the contentious Mekedatu dam project. The proposed meeting comes at a time when acute water shortages have severely affected kuruvai cultivation across the Cauvery delta, with farmers facing mounting losses due to inadequate water releases from Karnataka.
The meeting is being seen as a significant political and administrative effort to address one of India's longest-running inter-state river disputes through direct dialogue. It also comes amid growing pressure from farmers as the Mettur Dam remains critically low and the Cauvery basin continues to receive insufficient inflows.
The discussions are expected to focus on ensuring the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and reiterating the state's opposition to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir.
Delta crisis
The urgency of the talks is reflected in the worsening conditions across the Cauvery delta. A weak southwest monsoon, coupled with reduced releases from Karnataka, has left farmers struggling to save the kuruvai crop.
In June, Tamil Nadu received only 2.915 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) of water against the required 9.19 tmc ft. At the same time, the Mettur Dam's storage has dropped to around 38 tmc ft, preventing its customary opening on June 12.
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The impact on cultivation has been severe. In Thanjavur, kuruvai cultivation has declined from 1.94 lakh acres last year to just 89,000 acres this season. In Tiruvarur, the cultivated area has fallen from 1.91 lakh acres to only 64,000 acres.
Farmers who invested heavily in preparing their fields now face crop failure, with estimated losses exceeding ₹1,125 crore and up to 15 lakh tonne of paddy. Concerns over fodder shortages and labour migration have also begun to emerge.
Government stand
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister R Vinoth confirmed that Chief Minister Vijay would visit Karnataka on August 3.
"Our Chief Minister is set to visit Karnataka in the first week of August. We are clear and firm that Tamil Nadu will never allow the Mekedatu Dam to be built. For the past two months, Karnataka has not released adequate water," Vinoth said.
The Cauvery dispute has continued for decades despite repeated interventions by tribunals, courts and statutory authorities.
Under the Supreme Court's 2018 final judgment, Tamil Nadu is entitled to 404.25 tmc ft of Cauvery water in a normal year, while Karnataka receives 284.75 tmc ft from the total available 740 tmc ft. Karnataka is required to release specified quantities of water every month at the Biligundulu border point. Karnataka says it does not have enough water for its farmers and the state is on the brink of a drought.
Mekedatu issue
Another major issue on the agenda is Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir.
Karnataka maintains that the project is intended to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and generate hydropower using its allocated share of Cauvery water.
Also Read: TN will turn into desert if Karnataka builds Mekedatu Dam: Vijay govt in Assembly
Tamil Nadu, however, argues that the project could allow Karnataka to exercise greater control over river flows, potentially affecting downstream water availability.
Reflecting this concern, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in June, moved by Chief Minister Vijay, urging the Union government not to grant clearance for the Mekedatu project.
Political significance
The proposed meeting has drawn comparisons with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, who personally met then Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde in the early 1980s and secured water releases during a similar crisis.
Unlike previous governments that largely relied on legal remedies and the Cauvery Water Management Authority, the TVK government has opted for direct political engagement.
Political observers believe that if Vijay succeeds in securing additional water releases, it could become an important milestone early in his tenure. The BJP has also weighed in on the issue. State spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy urged the Tamil Nadu government to make it unequivocally clear that the Mekedatu project cannot proceed without Tamil Nadu's consent. He also accused the Congress of pursuing contradictory political positions in the two neighbouring states.
Farmers' concerns
Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association state general secretary PR Pandian slammed the proposed meeting, arguing that discussing the Mekedatu project itself goes against the spirit of the Supreme Court's judgment on the Cauvery dispute.
He questioned whether such negotiations could undermine Tamil Nadu's long-standing legal position against the project.
For farmers across the delta, however, immediate water releases remain the primary concern. Even a limited increase in Cauvery flows could help protect the remaining kuruvai crop and improve prospects for the upcoming samba cultivation season.
Meeting awaited
Sources indicate that Tamil Nadu has formally sought discussions on the Cauvery issue. However, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is expected to schedule the meeting only after completing the ongoing expansion of his cabinet.
"We are ready to speak with everyone, share things with everyone and work with everyone," Shivakumar said.
