What is the Cauvery water dispute?

Cauvery is an interstate basin, having its origin in Karnataka and flowing through Tamil Nadu and Puducherry before falling in the Bay of Bengal. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been embroiled in disputes over sharing the Cauvery waters for more than a century.

Important facts about the Cauvery water dispute

• States concerned:

• • Kerala,
  • Karnataka,
  • Tamil Nadu and
  • Puducherry (UT).
• The dispute over the Cauvery water began in the 19th century between Mysore State (now in Karnataka) and the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu).
• In January 2018, in its order, the Supreme Court accepted Karnataka’s contention that Bengaluru is a world-class city that needs water infrastructure.
• The Supreme Court ordered Karnataka to release 177.25 thousand million cubic feet instead of 192 thousand million cubic feet of water to Tamil Nadu at the inter-state contact point at Billigundlu.

Further Reading:

• Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunals in India
• Interlinking of Rivers