CHENNAI: The long-awaited Hogenakkal water supply and sanitation project, aimed at solving the problem of water shortage in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, may become a reality soon.

A team of representatives of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation is expected to visit the State for a week, beginning on January 22. Most likely, this will be the final trip of the bank authorities before they sanction the project.

The nod is likely to be given in the beginning of the coming financial year, according to sources in the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, which mooted the project. Apart from holding discussions with the State Government, the JBIC officials will inspect the site.

Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, forming part of backward regions in the State, have high concentration of fluoride in groundwater. Of 6,755 habitations in the two districts, 1,046 suffer from the problem. Besides, the districts are drought prone. Ten years ago, when the project was conceived and the Japanese authorities were about to clear it, the Pokhran nuclear experiments came in their way. A year ago, the State Government approached the Centre for proposing the project to the JBIC. For last six months, the State Government and the JBIC have been holding discussions.

Rs. 1,005-crore project

The project is estimated to cost Rs. 1,005 crore, of which 85 or 90 per cent will be provided by the Bank, in the event of approval. The rest has to be mobilised by the TWAD Board.

Three municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 6,755 rural habitations will be covered, benefiting about three million people. In the intermediate stage, the water requirement has been estimated at 127 million litres a day (MLD) and about 160 MLD for the final stage.

It is planned to draw water from the Cauvery near Hogenakkal. All the town panchayats are to be covered with low-cost sanitation facilities through water seal pour-flush latrines. As steps are on to establish a special economic zone in Hosur, the authorities have made a provision to supply water to industry.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will formally launch work of Rs.616-crore Ramanathapuram comprehensive water supply project at a function in Paramakudi on January 30. Five municipalities, including one in Sivaganga district, 11 town panchayats (seven in Ramanathpuram district, three in Sivaganga and one in Pudukottai) and around 3,165 rural habitations will be covered.

Water will be drawn from the Cauvery. Four collector wells will be sunk at Muthrasanallur and Kadiyakurichi, near Tiruchi. Seventy-five storage sumps will be created and 830-km water lines laid. The requirement will be around 90 MLD for the intermediate stage and 100 MLD for the final one.

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