Rejecting Karnataka’s charge of boundary violation by Tamil Nadu in the implementation of Hogenakkal drinking water scheme, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Monday said the project site is within the State’s limits.
“The work on the Rs 1,928 crore Japanese-aided project is being taken up only within Tamil Nadu’s territory and there is no violation of the border,” Mr. Stalin told reporters at Hogenakkal, 58 km from here, after inspecting the ongoing phase-I work of the scheme.
He said the Karnataka government and other political parties in that State are indulging in a false propaganda on the issue.
“Karnataka has been claiming that the land where the project is being executed belonged to it and also accused Tamil Nadu of deviating from the original plan, saying the scheme would involve 2.5 tmc ft of water, whereas we would draw only 1.4 tmc of Cauvery water for the scheme with the Centre’s permission”, Mr. Stalin said.
The Hogenakkal scheme would cater to drinking water needs of water-starved Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts bordering Karnataka, he said, adding that the project would be completed before the targeted schedule of December 2012.
