Chennai, June 18 -- Tamil Nadu is pushing back firmly against Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu Dam project and has vowed to block any new construction or safety breaches by Kerala at the Mullaperiyar Dam.

During the first session of the 17th Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, delivering his customary address, stated that the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led State government is taking "necessary legal measures" to halt Karnataka's attempt to build the Mekedatu dam.

"The Cauvery delta region is the granary of Tamil Nadu. The farmers of this region depend on Cauvery water as the main water source of the delta districts. Tamil Nadu has the right to use Cauvery water from time immemorial. Even after our righ...