Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced Tuesday that he is traveling to New Delhi to discuss the contentious Pennar River water dispute with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. The visit, addressing water flow from Karnataka’s Kolar region to Tamil Nadu, follows a Supreme Court directive urging both states to resolve the issue through dialogue—a process disrupted by Tamil Nadu’s last-minute decision to skip talks and file a separate appeal.

Speaking before departing, Shivakumar said, “The Supreme Court directed Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to hold discussions and resolve the Pennar River water dispute. However, we learned Monday night that Tamil Nadu’s representatives won’t attend and are submitting a separate appeal. The truth will emerge once we’re there, but I won’t decline the invitation—I’ll attend and discuss.” He added that, time permitting, he might also meet other Union ministers, including the Forest Minister, to address additional state concerns.

The dispute centers on Karnataka’s proposed dam across the Markandeya River, a Pennar tributary, which Tamil Nadu opposes despite Shivakumar’s assurances: “The dam won’t affect Tamil Nadu—they know Kolar’s water scarcity.” Favoring diplomacy over litigation, he noted, “Legal battles are long and costly; dialogue is our preference.” The talks, set for Wednesday, build on prior discussions with Union Minister of State V. Somanna in January, reflecting Karnataka’s push to secure central support amid interstate tensions over the river, which spans Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.