The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain the Tamil Nadu government’s plea opposing the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir Project across the Cauvery river, holding that the challenge was “premature” since only the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been permitted at this stage.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, said the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) decision does not allow Karnataka to begin construction and is limited to DPR preparation, which itself is conditional on expert review.

The Bench emphasised that the CWC’s order clearly states that the DPR can be prepared only after considering Tamil Nadu’s objections and the expert views of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cau

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