Markandeya or Markanda is a river in the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka has also obtained the required permission to build the dam across Markandeya river to store 500 million cubic metres of water at a cost of Rs 240 crores.

[3] Also since a large number of people in Tamil Nadu depend upon Ponnaiyar River water for irrigation as well as drinking purpose, the livelihood of farmers in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts would be affected with the construction of dam.

Tamil Nadu further argued that constructing reservoirs in one of the tributaries of Ponnaiyar River was a violation of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act.

[7] Also the consent of the Madras Government will not be required under the agreement of 1892 for the construction of any anicut (dam) if there is to be no irrigation under it.