Although funds were allocated for the third and fourth phases work had not commenced
Madras High Court. (Photo: DC)
Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to file an affidavit giving information as to the reason for lack of implementation of the third and fourth phases of the Thamirabarani-Karumeni AaruNambi Aaruriver water linking project in Tamil Nadu, and when it proposes to implement the two phases of the project.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, gave the directive and posted to September 25 further hearing of a public interest litigation from former DMK MLA M. Appavu which sought a direction to the state government to implement the third and fourth phases of the project within a reasonable time.
The bench said the PIL stated that funds were allocated for the third and fourth phases in 2013-14, but work had not commenced.
Documents on record showed that on account of inaction of the public works department, funds had lapsed. Only Rs 24.80 crore was spent out of Rs 100 crore in the third phase work, the bench added.
The bench called upon the state government to file an affidavit giving information as to
1) what was the allocation for the third and fourth phases of the project in the last two years and how much of this had been utilised;
2) what was the reason for lack of implementation of the third and fourth phases at least qua the funds allocated?;
3) what could be the cost over run on account of delaying of the project and who will bear the consequences of the same; and 4)when does the government, if at all, proposes to implement the third and fourth phases of the project?
( Source : dc correspondent )
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