The Cauvery Technical Cell cum Inter-State Waters Wing assists the Government in managing Inter-State water sharing disputes and issues. Established in 1990, this Wing provides technical inputs, data, and information necessary for filing petitions in the Water Disputes Tribunal and Supreme Court. It also participates in periodic meetings of the River Water Management Authority and the Regulation Committee of Inter-State River basins, where Tamil Nadu is a riparian state or stakeholder.
Additionally, the Wing handles bills, acts, rules, and policies related to water resources proposed by the Union Government, including schemes for interlinking inter-state rivers. It engages with various Union Government departments and agencies, such as the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), Central Water Commission (CWC), and the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Wing is responsible for preparing reports on the State’s water resource development.
Key issues managed by the Wing include:
Sharing of Cauvery waters
Establishing Tamil Nadu’s rights in the Mullai Periyar Dam
Obtaining rightful shares of waters from the Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP)
Defending the State’s rights in Neyyar River water sharing
Addressing Pennaiyar River water, Shenbagavalli, and Palar River water issues
The Wing prepares affidavits, documents, statements, and maps required for cases pending before the Supreme Court and High Courts, in consultation with Tamil Nadu Counsel, and submits them to the Government. It also deals with schemes such as the Godavari-Cauvery Link, Pamba-Achankoil-Vaippar Link, and Pandiyar-Punnampuzha Scheme.
