SC Directs Centre to Constitute Tribunal for Pennaiyar River Water Dispute Between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

The Supreme Court has directed the Central government to notify the constitution of a tribunal to adjudicate the inter-State water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Pennaiyar (Dakshina Pinakini) River.

The Court held that there was no reason to delay the process further and ordered that the notification be issued within one month. Tamil Nadu had approached the Court alleging that Karnataka’s upstream decisions adversely affected the downstream water flow. 

While the Centre earlier suggested resolving the issue through ministerial talks, the Court accepted Tamil Nadu’s plea for a statutory tribunal.

The verdict was reserved in December 2025 and pronounced on February 2, 2026. 

[The State of Tamil Nadu v. The State of Karnataka & Anr.]