HC disposes of PMK's petition on Hegenakkal project

Chennai, Aug 11 (UNI) Madras High Court today disposed of a petition filed by Pattali Makkal Katchi(PMK) seeking implementation of Hogenakkal drinking water project, recording Tamil Nadu government's stand on it.

Mr G K Mani, President of the PMK had filed a Public Interest Litigatioon(PIL) petition in 2003, seeking a direction to the state government to implement the project and compensation to victims, who were drinking chloride mixed water in Mettur and Dharmapuri areas.

In its counter affidavit, the government submitted that through a G.O. dated February 25,2008 it accorded priciple approval for Rs 1334 crore for Hogenakkal water supply and Fluorosis mitigation project to cover three Municipalities, 17 town Panchayats and 6755 rural habitations in 18 Panchayat unions in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. The have also accorded administrative approval for Phase One for Rs.959.20 crore to implement the prject with external financial assistance. The project would benefit a population of 29.80 lakhs.

The govertment narrated the stages of implementing the project and also submitted that the projecct will be completed by December 2012.

After recording the stae governments stand, the Bench comprising Mr Justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Mr Justice M Venugopal directed the petitioner to approach the state secretary for compensation and directed him to file a detailed statement of the affected persons.

UNI XR VV RL RAI1858