Linking of rivers being done in phased manner, says Tamil Nadu government
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras high court that as far as linking of rivers in the state is concerned, it is being implemented in a phased manner and projects have been made ready.
The government officials stated this in their reply in response to the queries raised by the Madras high court.
A division bench comprising Justice N. Kirubakaran and S.S. Sundar while passing interim orders on a PIL had raised certain queries to be answered by the government officials.
When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, PWD secretary S.K. Prabakar and Er.M. Bakthavathsalam, Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources Development and Chief Engineer (General), PWD were present in the court.
Dispensing with the appearance of the officials in future, the bench said a response has been filed for the queries raised by this court. It was submitted by the officials that as far as linking of rivers in the state was concerned, it was being implemented in a phased manner and projects have been made ready, As far as river Tamiraparani was concerned, it was being linked to Karumeniyaru and Nambiyaru and 50 percent of work has been completed and it will take another two years to complete the entire work.
Similarly, a project was also made ready for lining Cauvery and South Vellaru and it was under project report preparation stage. As far as, linking Cheyyaru and Pennaiaru was concerned, the work was under investigation stage. With regard to linking of Paalaru and Pennaiaru was concerned, it was also under investigation stage. As far as linking of Cauvery with Gundaru via Vaigai was concerned, the project was under preparation stage and the first phase of linking was Cauvery and South Vellaru.
The Officials have to file a detailed report in the next hearing with regard to the time required for implementation of the project and the amount required and the source, the bench added.
The bench said regarding de-silting and deepening of all water bodies, namely, lakes, ponds, tanks and Kanmois were concerned, the officials have to make recommendations/projects, so that this court would be in a better position to pass appropriate orders for de-silting and deepening, making use of the present summer season.
The officials were also to answer as to whether the government has any plan regarding construction of new water bodies in the state, the bench added and posted to April 10, further hearing of the case.
