Inter-linking of rivers: Madras High Court directs government to file affidavit

Madras High Court on Monday directed Secretary, Tamil Nadu PWD and Superintending Engineer, PWD, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli district, to file an affidavit within three weeks on the reasons for delay in the implementation a project on inter-linking of three rivers.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sathyanarayanan said in their order that "in fact the documents on record show that on account of the inaction by PWD, the funds were lapsed as no work was carried out in the third phase of project."

In his PIL P Appavu, a former MLA, contended that the Government took a decision in 2006-2007 for the inter-linking of Thamiraparani-Karumeniyar-Nambiar rivers and the first two phases were completed between 2010-2012.

He submitted in spite of allocation of a total amount of Rs 256.44 crore for the entire project, the work of the third and fourth phases had not commenced.

He said though a detailed representation was given to the authorities requesting them to complete the project and prevent water getting wasted by entering into the sea and thereby solve water problem faced by people of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, particularly farmers, no action was taken till date.

The bench directed the authorities to file an affidavit giving details about what was the allocation for the third and fourth phases of the project and how much of it had been utilised and what was the reason for non-implementation of these phases and posted further hearing to September 25.