Vijay urges PM Narendra Modi to block Mekedatu dam project, seeks clarity on Tamil Thai Vazhthu
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to allow Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project without the consent of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, saying the move had triggered anxiety among farmers in the state.
Vijay said Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar’s announcement on conducting bhoomi puja for the Mekedatu project was against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court verdict. He urged the PM to direct the Jal Shakti ministry and the Central Water Commission not to clear the project without the consent of the lower riparian states.
The chief minister also sought a clarification from the Union home ministry allowing Tamil Thai Vazhthu to continue to be sung at the beginning of all govt functions in Tamil Nadu. Vijay said that while the state anthem had traditionally been rendered at the start of govt events, certain functions were now beginning with the national song following a home ministry communication issued in January this year.
Vijay further requested the PM to facilitate the establishment of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Tamil Nadu. He said discussions had been held with DRDO over the past few years regarding setting up the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft design and development centre and CABS in the state.
Raising the fishermen issue, Vijay said arrests and harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy had increased to “alarming levels”. He said 12 arrest incidents had been reported in 2026 alone, with 58 fishermen currently lodged in Sri Lankan custody and 266 boats seized. He urged the Centre to press Sri Lanka for the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.
Vijay said Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar’s announcement on conducting bhoomi puja for the Mekedatu project was against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court verdict. He urged the PM to direct the Jal Shakti ministry and the Central Water Commission not to clear the project without the consent of the lower riparian states.
The chief minister also sought a clarification from the Union home ministry allowing Tamil Thai Vazhthu to continue to be sung at the beginning of all govt functions in Tamil Nadu. Vijay said that while the state anthem had traditionally been rendered at the start of govt events, certain functions were now beginning with the national song following a home ministry communication issued in January this year.
Vijay further requested the PM to facilitate the establishment of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Tamil Nadu. He said discussions had been held with DRDO over the past few years regarding setting up the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft design and development centre and CABS in the state.
Raising the fishermen issue, Vijay said arrests and harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy had increased to “alarming levels”. He said 12 arrest incidents had been reported in 2026 alone, with 58 fishermen currently lodged in Sri Lankan custody and 266 boats seized. He urged the Centre to press Sri Lanka for the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026Comments (64)
B
Bhavanya DharMost Interacted
11 hours ago
It’s good for photo op as modi is useless and doesn’t run the country, the clowns around him are pathetic and modi has no vision a...Read More
16 Replies
4
102
Reply
end of article
In Chennai
- Fraudster posing as middleman dupes car buyer of Rs 14L on OLX; held
- Aged couple injured in cylinder blast
- Trend reversal: Nearly 100% mechanical engg, EEE students placed in campus placements in top colleges this year
- Crisis over super specialty medical seats
- Stringent correction, lack of grace marks causes students to rethink revaluation
- Days after difficulties in applying for scans, students face difficulties in accessing revaluation portal too
- Safety of women, kids top priority for TN govt, AG tells Madras HC
Featured In City
- Sacks with Rs 2.2 cr unearthed in field near TMC neta’s farmhouse
- Over 18L plaints of power supply disruption reported in 55 days
- PMC sends notice to hospital on newborn’s death after C-section
- Gen Z girls turn to YouTube, Google for period awareness: Study
- PMRDA plans new link roads, widening projects to decongest Hinjewadi IT hub
- PMC to crack down on bulk waste generators; defaulters to face fines and lose tax discounts
- Private C-sections in Maharashtra skyrocket to 56%, five times WHO norms
Photostories
- These animals have fewer than 100 left on earth—and their stories are heartbreaking
- 6 high-protein sandwiches for a quick summer breakfast
- Exclusive - Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: From talking about her show preparations to reuniting with Gaurav Khanna; Farrhana Bhatt gets candid
- One monochrome saree, unlimited main-character energy, and this time Madhuri Dixit means pure business
- America by rail: 5 iconic train journeys in the U.S. every traveller must experience once in a lifetime
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrifices
- How to delete stress from your life
- 7 painful truths about love and relationships people often don't talk about
- Bhindi to Lauki: Why we remove the crown of these 7 everyday vegetables
- Pregnancy nutrition: Superfoods every mother-to-be should add to her plate
Videos
07:56 Explained: What Is The CMRL-Exalogic Case Linked To ED Raids On Ex-Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan- TMC MLAs Stage Sit-In Over Delay In LoP Status, Office Space Allocation
03:01 Giant Messi Statue Strapped With Ropes As Kolkata Prepares Removal After It Was 'Swaying In Wind'03:48 India's Private Sector Is Building a Stealth Fighter. Here's What That Really Means.03:54 Amit Shah Orders Crackdown On Illegal Structures Near Indo-Pak Border, Seeks Demolition Within 15 KM03:01 Massive Drug Haul In Gujarat As ATS Recovers 100 Kg Cocaine From European Ship Near Kutch- Lavish Celebration Clip Reignites Debate On Money Power In Pune Crash Case
05:50 Assam Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill, CM Himanta Hails It As 'Historic'03:00 Tamil Nadu AIADMK Unity Restored As Rebel MLAs Patch Up With Edappadi Palaniswami Camp
Hot Picks
Top Trends
Up Next
Follow Us On Social Media