Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru/New Delhi

Bengaluru/New Delhi, Aug 10: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government seeking directions to Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) order to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily for 15 days.

The plea, filed on August 3 on the instructions of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, seeks implementation of the CWMA’s decision directing Karnataka to release water from the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoirs. The matter will be heard by the Supreme Court on August 13.

Tamil Nadu has sought the release of around 4.5 TMC of Cauvery water, corresponding to the 3,500-cusecs daily release over 15 days. The state has alleged that Karnataka failed to comply with the directions of the Cauvery authorities despite repeated orders.

The CWMA on July 30 upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) recommendation that Karnataka maintain a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days. The decision followed Karnataka’s objections, with the state citing poor rainfall, low reservoir levels and drinking water requirements.

The dispute has once again heightened tensions between the two neighbouring states. Karnataka has maintained that it needs adequate water for Bengaluru and other drinking-water and agricultural requirements, while Tamil Nadu has argued that reduced Cauvery flows would severely affect farmers dependent on the river.

The issue has also become politically sensitive in both states amid concerns over the monsoon and reservoir levels. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had convened an all-party meeting to discuss the state’s response to the CWMA order.

Tamil Nadu has said it will continue to pursue the matter through legal channels. The state has also opposed Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, arguing that it could affect Tamil Nadu’s downstream share of Cauvery water.

The Supreme Court hearing on August 13 is expected to bring renewed focus on compliance with the Cauvery water-sharing mechanism and the competing water requirements of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.