Phase II of Hogenakkal project

Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project is a fluorosis mitigation drinking water project being undertaken at Hogenakkal, Dharmapuri district, state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is scheduled to be executed by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD), with funding from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) using Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery river water. The project aims to supply safe drinking water to drought prone & fluorosis affected Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu.

Why is it in News Now

The Tamil Nadu government announced that  Phase II of Hogenakkal project will be implemented at cost of Rs 4,600 crore will be implemented as the second phase of the Hogenakkal combined drinking water project for Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts at an estimated cost of Rs 4,600 crore.

Opposition by Karnataka

Karnataka government would legally oppose the proposed project by Tamil Nadu as it falls within the geographical jurisdictions of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Survey of India has not finalised the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border at Hogenakkal.

Any project that Tamil Nadu wants to implement in the Cauvery basin should be in line with the allocation of water made by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and Supreme Court orders.

Tamil Nadu has not placed the proposed project before the Tribunal or the Supreme Court.

As per Section 13 of the Cauvery Tribunal’s order, the Hogenakkal project should be taken up through the Central Water Commission.

Background

Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu are drought prone and had been the cause of high political debates and riots. Although the Kaveri river enters the state at Biligundulu in Krishnagiri district, it does not contribute to irrigation or drinking water purposes there. With 10 of the 29 constituent districts in Tamil Nadu affected by fluorosis, Dharmapuri district has the highest concentration of endemic fluoride in the State

Facts.

Hogenakkal Drinking Water project was prepared in 1986 during the period of M.G. Ramachandran but could not be implemented due to a lack of funds.

The Hogenakkal combined drinking water project was launched by former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in 2008 when present TN CM Stalin held the Local Administration portfolio. This water supply and fluorosis mitigation project caters to the requirement of 3 municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 7,639 rural habitations in the two districts.  

The first phase of the Hogenakkal project, for drinking water supply and fluorosis mitigation was implemented during the 2006-11 DMK regime.

The project is expected to cover 6,755 households in three municipal areas, 17 panchayats and 18 town panchayats, benefiting about three million people.

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