Tamil Nadu has said that if inter-state water disputes were not resolved in time, it could threaten the integrity of the nation in the decades to come.

"Our existing institutional arrangements for managing inter-state rivers seem to have broken down. Unless we create effective institutional arrangements, sharing of river waters is likely to become a source of internal conflict," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi told the National Development Council meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Constitution provided for nationalization of inter-state rivers within the competence of the Centre, he said, adding that nationalization offered the only long-term solution to this 'serious problem' and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must initiate action on this.

Noting that Tamil Nadu has been depending on Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh for its requirements of water for drinking and agriculture, he said, "We have been talking of haves and have-nots for long; but these surplus states have been reluctant to spare the natural resources to their sister-state, which is very much water-starved."

"This does not speak well of our federal structure. Though a surgery is called for to solve the present crisis, even a healing dose has not been made available so far to Tamil Nadu," Karunanidhi said, seeking Centre's support to the state.

The chief minister said that the project for inter-linking rivers should be included and funded as part of the agriculture strategy of the Eleventh Plan. He also urged the Centre to extend Special Central Assistance for a scheme to promote agro-forestry, horticulture and water-efficient crops in the state.