Inter-state water disputes in India

(1) Mekedatu water project : This project was mooted in 1948 . Mekedatu is a drinking water cum power generation project up to 400 MW. This is to supply drinking water cum power to Bengaluru and recharge ground water table. It is proposed at a confluence of cauvery with its tributary Arkavathi. Multiple clearances are required from center and courts as it involves the Cauvery water sharing dispute. Environmentalist object it as large forest land will be submerged. Tamilnadu objects it as it would divert the uncontrolled water flow due for Tamilnadu and it is against the final award of cauvery river water tribunal. Mekadatu zone represents the last free point from where water from the Cauvery flows unrestricted into the down stream state of Tamilnadu from Karnataka. Solution for this dispute is – states should cooperate not conflict. No regional approach should be followed. Longterm and mutually amicable path for the governance of inter state river water is important. ( 2) Satluj-Yamuna river canal link: This dispute is for sharing of water of the rivers Ravi and Bea’s between Haryana and Punjab. Project started by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with ground breaking ceremony in Punjab. Kapoori Morcha was launched by Akalis to object the projects. Eradi tribunal was later formed to reassess the availability and sharing of water. Punjab opposed sharing of water of Ravi and Peas rivers with Haryana citing riparian principle.Rajasthan, Punjab,Haryana and Jammu &Kashmir are involved in this project. Punjab states it fills granaries of India by growing Wheat and paddy every year. It has over exploited ground water so that it can not share water. Haryana claims it has drinking water problem in south Haryana. Haryana also claims that it is contributing to central food pool and Eradi tribunal report should be implemented. All major river basins and some of the medium river basins are of inter state nature. No regional approach should be followed. We can reconsider supreme courts jurisdictional bar in the verdict of inter state dispute. No regional approach to be followed. ( please verify the facts before using this article)