The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear the Tamil Nadu government’s plea against Karnataka’s plan to construct the Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery river, Live Law reported.

A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai, and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, said that Karnataka’s detailed project report was still under consideration by experts in the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.

The court said this process was taking place after considering Tamil Nadu’s objections and therefore, its petition was “premature”.

The Central Water Commission has also previously said that it would accept any project report only after approvals from the two authorities, The Hindu reported.

The bench said that Tamil Nadu could approach the Supreme Court again only after this stage.

It added that it did not “possess expertise” to rule on such matters and said these were “areas which are best reserved for experts”, PTI reported.

The court said that Karnataka was bound to release the water in line with the directions of the court and said that it would risk “committing contempt of the court” for failing to do so.

The projectentails building a reservoir in a deep gorge at the confluence of the river Cauvery with its tributary Arkavathi in the Ramanagara district. The project aims to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and nearby areas...

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