HC dismisses PIL on Hogenakkal project

Bangalore, Apr 3 (UNI) Karnataka High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), challenging Tamil Nadu's controversial Hogenakkal drinking water project across river Cauvery in Chamarajanagar district on Karnataka's border with Tamil Nadu.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Mr Justice Ravi Malimath dismissed the petition and asked the petitioners to approach the Union and State governments, instead.

''Since the issue is sensitive and has multi-dimensional ramifications, the petitioners should go before the government. If they still remain aggrieved they can then approach the Court,'' the Bench said.

Petitioners Govindaraj and others, hailing from Chamarajnagar district, sought a direction to Tamil Nadu government to stall the project work until the survey ordered by the Centre on the border issue was completed.

The petitioners submitted that if the Tamil Nadu government proceeded with the project, it would be an injustice to the people of Karnataka.

UNI RS AJ LS RN2033