'Hogenakkal belongs to Tamil Nadu'

Chennai, Aug 19: Reiterating that Hogenakkal was very much part of Tamil Nadu, the State Government on Tuesday, Aug 19 alleged that some political parties were acting with selfish motives to stall the Rs 1,334 crore Hogenakkal Drinking Water project, aimed at providing quality drinking water to the people of the flouride affected Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

Inaugurating a Photo expo organised by the Japanese Consulate here, Chief Secretary L K Tripathy said the project was being implemented with Japanese assistance. Observing that he was dutybound to clear the air over the controversy surrounding the project, he said Hogenakkal belonged to Tamil Nadu and there was no doubt in it. Refuting Karnataka's opposition to the project on the ground that Hogenakkal belonged to that State, Mr Tripathy said ''we have valid documents to prove that Hogenakkal is very much part of Tamil Nadu.'' ''The project has not been carried out in haste. The scheme was mooted to draw 1.4 tmc of water from the Cauvery waters flowing through Tamil Nadu to provide drinking water facility to over 30 lakh people living in the two districts,'' he added.

Blaming a section of media and few political parties for blowing the issue out of proportions and making it a big issue, he said the Tamil Nadu Government was confident of implementing the project as per schedule. Lauding the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) of Japan for rendering yeomen services, the Chief Secretary said the funding had fostered closer ties between India and Japan.

The ODA has not only provided financial assistance to Hogenakkal project, but also agreed to fund the Metro Rail Project, aimed at easing the traffic congestion in Chennai city. ''We thank them for their patronage,'' he added.

UNI