Cauvery water dispute reignites as Karnataka-Tamil Nadu protests disrupt traffic

The Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has flared up again, leading to protests and legal action. On Monday, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj called for a blockade at the Attibele border between the two states, disrupting movement of vehicles and commuters. The protest, aimed at highlighting Karnataka's interests in the water-sharing conflict, began around 11 a.m. near Attibele. This border sees heavy daily traffic as people travel between Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for work and business, raising concerns about transport disruptions.

The impact of the protest is already visible on bus services. While Tamil Nadu’s state-run buses continued to operate normally up to Hosur, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses did not enter Tamil Nadu on Monday morning. Tamil Nadu transport officials stated that further decisions on services to Karnataka would depend on the situation at the border.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court over the water-sharing issue. On August 3, the Tamil Nadu government filed a petition accusing Karnataka of failing to release water as recommended by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Tamil Nadu has requested the court to direct Karnataka to release 26.954 TMC of water, which it claims is owed for the period between June 1 and August 12. The state has also sought regular monitoring of water levels in Karnataka’s reservoirs and the release of water at the inter-state border in Biligundlu.

Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta region are closely watching the developments, hoping for a favorable verdict that could ensure water for the samba paddy crop. They stress that timely water availability is critical, and if released by the end of August, they could still plant one crop this season.

The decades-old Cauvery dispute has once again escalated, with Karnataka witnessing protests and Tamil Nadu seeking judicial intervention. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court’s next steps in resolving this contentious issue.