New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Government to constitute a tribunal within one month to adjudicate the long-standing interstate water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Pennaiyar (Penniyar) River. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and N.V. Anjaria ruled in favor of Tamil Nadu’s petition, ordering the Centre to form the tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, and refer the state’s complaint to it.
Court’s Directive: Gazette Notification and Status Quo on Projects
The apex court mandated that the tribunal’s constitution be notified in the official Gazette. The verdict comes as a relief to Tamil Nadu, which had filed an original suit seeking judicial intervention to stop Karnataka from proceeding with projects on the river and its tributaries, which it argued would adversely affect downstream users in Tamil Nadu. The court’s order implicitly underscores the failure of bilateral negotiations between the two states to resolve the contentious issue.
Background of the Dispute: Tamil Nadu’s Plea Against Karnataka’s Projects
Originating in Karnataka’s Nandi Hills, the Pennaiyar river flows through Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, and other northern districts of Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Tamil Nadu’s suit specifically sought:
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A tribunal to examine its complaint against projects like the dam across Markandeyanadhi near Yargol village.
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A status quo order on Karnataka pumping water from the Varathur Tank to Narsapur Tank and directly from the Pennaiyar at villages like Belahalli.
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A prohibition on Karnataka from initiating any new schemes in the Pennaiyar basin until the tribunal is formed.
The state argued that these projects would impair its existing water usage and the interests of its farmers. Senior Advocates V. Krishnamoorthy and P. Wilson represented the Tamil Nadu government.
This order adds another chapter to the complex history of water sharing between the two states, following the prolonged Cauvery dispute. The formation of the tribunal will initiate a formal legal process to determine the equitable allocation and utilization of Pennaiyar river waters, a move keenly awaited by both states.