Top News

WaterDispute – The Supreme Court of India on Monday instructed the Union government to establish a dedicated tribunal within one month to address the long-running disagreement between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of waters from the Pennaiyar river, marking a significant step toward resolving the interstate dispute.

Tribunal Ordered After Prolonged Legal Battle

The direction followed a lawsuit filed by the Tamil Nadu government under Article 131 of the Constitution, naming Karnataka and the Centre as respondents. Tamil Nadu had sought the formation of a river water disputes tribunal to adjudicate disagreements arising from water use and infrastructure projects linked to the Pennaiyar and its tributary, the Markandeya river. These projects were initiated by Karnataka and, according to Tamil Nadu, posed potential risks to downstream water availability.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and N V Anjaria delivered the verdict. The court stated that there was no justification to delay the constitution of a tribunal and instructed the Centre to issue the required notification in the Official Gazette within the stipulated timeframe. With this order, the original suit filed in 2018 was returned, enabling the dispute to be taken up by the newly formed tribunal for adjudication.

Centre Informed Court of Failed Negotiations

Court proceedings revealed that multiple efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue had not succeeded. The Union government informed the bench that discussions aimed at reaching an amicable settlement between the two states had failed, leaving judicial intervention as the only remaining option. The hearings concluded on December 19, 2025, after the Centre confirmed that consensus was unattainable.

Earlier, in September 2025, the court had already been informed that the nature of the disagreement warranted a formal tribunal. The Pennaiyar, being an interstate river, flows from Karnataka, the upper riparian state, into Tamil Nadu, which depends on the river as a lower riparian for irrigation and water needs.

Karnataka’s Request for Fresh Talks Fell Through

During the hearings, the Centre also conveyed that Karnataka had sought additional time after a new state government took office, expressing interest in reopening negotiations with Tamil Nadu. However, the Union government later clarified that renewed talks did not produce any breakthrough, reinforcing the need for an institutional dispute-resolution mechanism.

Tamil Nadu Raised Concerns Over Ongoing Projects

Tamil Nadu had approached the court seeking explicit directions under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956, asking the Centre to refer its formal complaints from late 2019 to a tribunal. The state also requested interim safeguards, including an order to maintain the status quo on construction activities related to a dam across the Markandeya river near Yargol village until the tribunal was constituted.

In its submissions, Tamil Nadu argued that Karnataka should refrain from altering existing water arrangements, including pumping water between tanks in Kolar district and drawing water directly from the Pennaiyar at specific locations. The state further urged the court to prevent Karnataka from launching any new schemes within the Pennaiyar basin while the dispute remained unresolved.

According to Tamil Nadu, continued execution of these projects could adversely affect downstream flows and impact farming communities and residents dependent on the river. Senior advocates V Krishnamoorthy and P Wilson represented the state during the proceedings.

State Government Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling

Reacting to the judgment, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan described the order as a major relief for the state. He said the government expected the Union administration to act promptly and implement the court’s directive without delay, emphasizing that the tribunal’s formation was crucial for ensuring a fair and legally binding resolution.

The establishment of the tribunal is expected to bring clarity to water-sharing arrangements and provide a structured forum for addressing technical, legal, and environmental concerns associated with the Pennaiyar river basin.