Won't allow Hogenakkal project by Tamil Nadu: Karnataka Minister

The ruling BJP government will not allow the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu to undertake Hogenakkal second phase project, Karnataka Minister for Water Resources Govind M Karjol said on Friday. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's announcement on Detailed Project Report(DPR) being ready for taking up Phase 2 of Hogenakkal Project for Rs 4,600 crore has come to the notice of the government and Karnataka will oppose the project through all available legal options, the minister said.

"Tamil Nadu will have to take projects as per the verdicts of the tribunal and the Supreme Court on water sharing in Cauvery River basin region. We will oppose any project which is being taken up without informing the tribunal as well as the Supreme Court by Tamil Nadu," he said.

The recently announced project comes under the jurisdiction of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and the various dimensions and legal verification must be analysed before taking up any projects. Tamil Nadu cannot undertake the project unilaterally. About 64 kilometres of the Hogenakkal region lies on the borders of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Under column 13 of the verdict of the Cauvery River Water Tribunal, the project has to be taken up by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), he stated.

The border between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is finalised by the Survey of India and in this background, Karnataka will not give any room for the implementation of the project by the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, he said.