Hogenakkal water project in limbo
NewWindPress - June 17, 2006
HOSUR: Come elections, all parties make promises on implementing the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project (HIDWP). But, they very easily forget the promise once the elections are over.
Officials on their part, blame the politicians for the scheme not taking-off.
If the government does not provide potable water in coming years, half of the total 30 lakh population in the twin districts of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri will suffer from dental and skeletal fluorosis.
In fact, the project was mooted way back in 1968 to provide potable drinking water to the people in the composite Dharmapuri district (which included the present Krishnagiri district), who were earlier consuming water with high fluoride content.
According to a recent survey by the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWAD), the average fluoride content in the water samples taken from composite Dharmapuri district stood at 1.2 mg/l (milli grams per litre), compared to the State average of 0.7 mg/l.
In some areas in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, the fluoride content in ground water surpassed 7 mg/l.
Of the total 18 panchayat unions in both districts, more than 30 percent areas in 17 blocks have the problem of high fluoride content in drinking water.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that if the fluoride content exceeds 1 mg/l, it would cause health hazards.
Many people in these regions have yellowish teeth which is caused by dental fluorosis. The high fluoride content also causes skeletal fluorosis which weakens the joints in the human body.
Officials said when the DMK came to power in 1996, it sent a proposal to the Centre urging it to avail of funds to the tune of around Rs 1, 000 crore from a Japanese funding agency to implement the HIDWP scheme.
But, the Japanese Government refused to fund the project following the Pokhran blasts during the then BJP regime.
However, hopes were revived after Chief Minister M Karunanidhi gave a memorandum to the Prime Minister recently demanding funds for key projects, including the HIDWP.
Although the State did request the Centre to accord clearance to the Rs 1,005 crore project, it did not provide the entire details on the pattern of funding or whether the scheme would get any subsidy from the Central Government.
Currently, official sources said the project had been formulated to supply drinking water to the three municipalities of Hosur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, 17 panchayats and 18 panchayat unions.
People in this region have also sought an assurance from the government that no additional charges would be levied for supplying potable drinking water if the HIDWP scheme was implemented since the project would be funded by a foreign funding agency.
At this juncture, people in both districts expect that the State should disburse minimum funds to kick-start the primary work on the project.
SOURCE:
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