Chennai , 20 June (H.S.):

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has announced a major statewide awareness campaign on the Cauvery river dispute, with a special focus on opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project and safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s water rights.

The decision was taken at a consultative meeting of farmers’ associations chaired by PMK president Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in Chennai on Saturday. The meeting adopted a series of resolutions on water security, irrigation rights and issues affecting the farming community.

As part of the campaign, a yatra will be organised from Biligundlu, where the Cauvery enters Tamil Nadu from Karnataka, to Poompuhar on the Bay of Bengal coast, where the river merges with the sea. Organisers said the march would seek to educate the public, especially young people, about the history of the Cauvery dispute and the potential consequences of the Mekedatu project.

A resolution adopted at the meeting described the Cauvery as the irrigation lifeline of more than ten districts in Tamil Nadu and the primary source of drinking water for nearly five crore people. Participants expressed concern over Karnataka’s continued efforts to pursue the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project and urged the Union Government to prevent its implementation.

The meeting demanded that the Centre withdraw the permission granted to Karnataka for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project. The resolution noted that both the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court had made it clear that no project affecting the river’s water-sharing arrangement could be taken up without Tamil Nadu’s consent.

Farmer representatives warned that the proposed dam could adversely affect water availability in Tamil Nadu, particularly during years of low rainfall. They stressed that sustained public awareness and political pressure were essential to protect the State’s share of Cauvery waters.

The gathering also passed a separate resolution opposing recent remarks by Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan that the construction of a new dam was the only long-term solution to the Mullaperiyar issue. The resolution alleged that such statements could weaken Tamil Nadu’s established rights over the dam and urged the State government not to fall into what it described as a political trap.

PMK leaders and farmers’ organisations said the proposed yatra would serve as a platform to mobilise public opinion on water-related issues and press both the State and Union governments to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s long-term interests.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman