River linking implemented in phased manner, State tells HC

In response to queries raised by a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice S Sundar about linking rivers in the state, SK Prabakar, principal secretary to government, public works department and M Bakthavathsalam, engineer-in-chief, water resources development, appeared in court and submitted that river linking is being implemented in a phased manner and some projects have already been made ready.

The bench also recorded their submission that a proposal for linking Cauvery and South Vellaru is under project report preparation stage and the work for linking of Cheyyaru and Pennaiaru is under investigation stage. Similarly, the project linking of Paalaru and Pennaiaru is also under investigation stage.

As far as linking of Cauvery with Gundaru via Vaigai is concerned, the project is under preparation stage, the officials said. Following this, the bench also directed the officials to file a detailed report during the next hearing about the time required for implementation of the project and the amount required. The bench will next hear the plea on April 10.