The government has revised the Hogenakkal Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project cost from Rs.1,334 crore to Rs.1,928.8 crore.
Of the revised cost, the loan component of the Japan International Cooperation Agency will be Rs.1,585.6 crore; the Minimum Needs Programme’s component Rs.307.48 crore and urban local bodies’ share Rs.35.72 crore.
Using the Cauvery as the source, the project is aimed at providing drinking water to people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in three municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 6,755 rural habitations over 18 panchayat unions, according to an order issued by the State Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department last week.
The cost has been revised due to a number of factors such as the redesign of water main lines branching from the master balancing reservoirs and the consequent changes in the type, class and size of pipes.
Introduction of intermediate booster and allocation of maintenance staff and increase in power consumption are among the other reasons.
The government has also sanctioned Rs.318.35 crore towards the cost of operation and maintenance for five years subject to the condition that the amount collected from beneficiaries by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, the executing agency, will be deducted while releasing funds to the TWAD Board.
The project has been divided into five packages.
Last week, a work order for Rs.237.18 crore was issued by the Board to IVRCL Infrastructures and Projects to cover the first package, covering the works of raw water intake, water treatment plant, water transmission main of raw water and treated water for 11.5 km, master balancing reservoir and the establishment of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.
