Hoganekkal project temporarily put on hold: PWD minister

Madurai, Apr 7 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Public Works Department Minister Durai Murugan today refuted the allegations that the government had succumbed to pressure by putting the Hogenekkal drinking water project on hold.

Talking to newspersons here, he clarified that the project was not dropped but temporarily put on hold as Karnataka was under President's rule.

Once a new government assumes office after elections next month in that state, the Tamil Nadu government would start negotiations to find an amicable solution to the issue, he added.

Stating that the Centre had already given its nod for the project, the minister said even the Karnataka Government had agreed to it in the meetings attended by its Chief Secretary and irrigation department officials.

It had been agreed during the official-level meetings that 1.4 tmc of water would be drawn for the Hogenekkal project and the quantum of water would be adjusted against the interim award of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal. Similarly, the quantum of water drawn by Karnataka for the Bangalore Drinking Water scheme would be adjusted in the interim award, he said.

On the recent violent incidents over the Hogenekkal project, he ''it is not proper to fight with each other on water disputes and nurture enmity.'' Earlier, the Minister inaugurated the Judicial Magistrate's court at Vadippatti near here and a Special court in the city.

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