PMK Chief says Hogenakkal Project might be put in limbo

Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, Aug 14 (UNI) The Hogenakkal Project is in the danger of being put in the limbo with Karnataka Government vehemently opposing its implementation, PMK Founder-Leader S Ramadoss today said.

Speaking to reporters at his Thailapuram Residence in this district, Dr Ramadoss charged that Chief Minister M Karunanidhi maintaining 'silence' on the issue, the project faces the prospect of being put on the back burner.

While the Tamil Nadu Public Works Ministry and the Department said they would implement the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project, whose foundation stone was laid in February 2008, the government was yet to appoint project consultant, he alleged.

When his party filed a case in the court on the issue, the government submitted it would appoint the consultant for which the tender would be issued in November 2008.

The government even claimed the work on the project would begin and be completed by 2012. However, till now, even the project consultant was to be appointed.

The foundation stone was laid on 26 February this year and a confident Chief Minister sounded as if the water was already being received by the people.

Following violent opposition to the project in Karnataka during the President's rule, the Chief Minister said the Tamil Nadu Government would wait till a new dispensation was in place in the neighbouring state.

But now the Karnataka Chief Minister demanded a fresh survey on the Hogenakkal Porject and said Tamil Nadu could not start the project without his State's permission.

MORE UNI XR-GM AB UC2151