Pennaiyar River Context: The Central Government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an additional six months' time to constitute a tribunal regarding the Pennaiyar river water dispute between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In 2018, the Tamil Nadu government filed a lawsuit alleging that the Karnataka government's construction of a dam across the Markandeya River (a major tributary of the Pennaiyar) was illegal. On February 2, 2026, the Supreme Court of India directed the Central Government to constitute the Pennaiyar River Water Dispute Tribunal within one month. About the Pennaiyar River The Pennaiyar is a major river in South India. It flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the Then Pennai, Dakshina Pinakini, Thenpennai, or Ponnaiyar. Originating in the Nandi Hills, it flows southward through Karnataka and southeastward through Tamil Nadu, eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Cuddalore. With a length of approximately 497 km, this river is the second-longest river in Tamil Nadu. The river basin is bounded by ranges of the Eastern Ghats, such as the Velikonda, Nagari, Javadhu, Shevaroy, Chitteri, and Kalvarayan Hills. The Bay of Bengal forms its eastern boundary. The Chinnar, Markandeya, Vaniyar, and Pambar are the river's major tributaries. Important reservoirs, such as the Krishnagiri Dam and the Sathanur Dam, play a crucial role in water management within the basin. Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: This Act enables states to request the Central Government to constitute tribunals for the purpose of resolving disputes related to inter-state waters. The verdicts of these tribunals are binding in nature.
