The Hindu : Front Page : Steps for Hogenakkal project under way

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Friday, Apr 11, 2008
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Steps for Hogenakkal project under way

Special Correspondent

Timetable was drawn up even as talks were in progress, says Chief Minister

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Formalities relating to the Hogenakkal water supply scheme will be carried out on schedule, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said here on Thursday.

In a statement, he said tenders were called for selecting a project management consultant in February 2008 and the last date for applying was March-end 2008. A decision on the consultant would be taken in July 2008.

The consultant would examine the detailed project report and the bid documents in October 2008 and tenders would be called to execute the scheme in December 2008. A decision on the tenders would be taken and work on the project would begin in March 2009. The project would be completed in December 2012.

All these were clearly mentioned in the agreement on the project. Even when the talks on the project were in progress, this detailed time-frame had been drawn up, Mr. Karunanidhi said, and asked why some leaders were resorting to cheap stunts.

His intention behind asking people to put on hold their agitation on the Hogenakkal issue was to ensure that there were no law and order problems in Karnataka ahead of the Assembly elections there (in May). How did this amount to cowardice or harming the cause, he asked.

Billboards issue

On the removal of billboards in Chennai and elsewhere, he said the Supreme Court ruling on the issue needed to be welcomed.

Work on removing illegal hoardings had begun on Wednesday night. He appealed to those who owned the billboards to cooperate with him in achieving his dream of beautifying the city.

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