NEWS

Karnataka has raised objections on Hogenakkal project saying Tamil Nadu cannot go ahead with any scheme that utilises Cauvery water without its concurrence.

WHERE IS HOGENAKKAL LOCATED?

• Scenic tourist spot known for its waterfalls
• Located on the border between the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka(125 km south of Bengaluru)
• Word Hogenakkal is of Kannada origin and roughly means smoky rocks
• Cauvery water which enters Tamil Nadu at Biligundulu in Krishnagiri district from Karnataka reaches the Stanley reservoir at Mettur through Hogenakkal

HOGENAKKAL PROJECT PHASE 1

• Originally conceived in the 1960s, the Hogenakkal project saw the light of day only in 2013. Under the first phase, 160 MLD of potable water is supplied to the drought-prone districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.
• Keeping the fluorosis content in the water within the permissible limits of 1.50 mg/litre is also an essential component of the project.
• Every person is provided with 30 litres of water a day in rural habitations, 40 litres in town panchayats and 75 litres in municipalities.

WHAT’S PROPOSED IN THE SECOND PHASE?

• Continue the supply of potable water to Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, and meet the demands of a rising population.
• Amount of water supplied per person per per day will be increased to 55 litres in rural areas (as mandated under the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission) and 135 litres in town panchayats and municipalities.
• In addition, the SIPCOT industrial estate in Dharmapuri has sought 20 MLD per day.
• Tamil Nadu estimates it will need Rs 1,800 crore to expand the project in Dharmapuri and Rs 2,800 crore in Krishnagiri.

WHAT DOES KARNATAKA SAY?

• Oppose the Hogenakkal project both legally and politically, based on two grounds:
  • The project falls in the geography of both states and was not placed before the Cauvery tribunal or the Supreme Court.
  • Geographically Hogenakkal is a 64-km region that covers both sides of the border.
• Apparently, the Survey of India has not finalised the border along Hogenakkal.