Overview
- The court said the Mekedatu Detailed Project Report is only under preparation and that any consideration by the Central Water Commission requires prior approvals from the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.
- Reiterating its August 2023 position, the bench emphasized it lacks technical expertise and that allocation and project vetting should be decided by the statutory Cauvery bodies.
- Karnataka remains obligated to release 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu under earlier orders, with the bench warning that non-compliance could invite contempt.
- The order notes that Tamil Nadu may challenge any eventual CWC approval of the DPR and should press its objections before the CWMA and CWC in the interim.
- Karnataka leaders hailed the ruling as progress toward preparatory work, while Tamil Nadu’s water resources minister said the state will continue to oppose the project before the expert authorities and denied that the court cleared construction.