CHENNAI: PMK founder S.Ramadoss on Wednesday said Karnataka is illegally diverting Cauvery water to Kollagal industrial estate and residential areas and said not a single drop of water is reaching Hogenakkal due to this diversion. Even during severe drought, some water used to flow in Hogenakkal mountain due to the water flowing between the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. But, not a drop of water is reaching Hogenakkal for the last few weeks due to the stealing of water by Karnataka.
Cauvery water near Pannur is being diverted to six wells with a diameter of 80 metres and depth of 60 metres. The water filled in the wells are being diverted to Kollegal industrial estate and the residential areas around them. Permission should be obtained from forest department for digging wells in the forest area, but no such permission had been received by Karnataka, Ramadoss alleged.
Karnataka is releasing 150 cubic feet of water from Hemavathy dam, 873 cubic feet from Krishnarajasagar dam, 100 cubic feet from Kabini and 9 cubic feet from Harangi for the areas in Karnataka before Biligundulu. It is diverting the rest of the water to prevent water flow to Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu, he charged. Tamil Nadu government should have prevented the illegal diversion by informing the Centre, but it is only concentrating on opening the closed liquor shops. Tamil Nadu should take action to receive Cauvery water as per the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and to form the Cauvery Management Board, Ramadoss demanded.
