Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced ₹7,145 crore for the second phase of the Hogenakkal Drinking Water and Fluorosis Mitigation Project (HDWFMP) in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri, which was welcomed by residents and various outfits.

The groundwater in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri has fluoride content between 1.5–12.4 mg/l, which is well above the WHO guideline value of 1 mg/l. Prolonged consumption of this water could lead to fluorosis. To tackle this problem, the Hogenakkal Drinking Water and Fluorosis Project was proposed in 2008 at an estimated cost of ₹1,334 crore. The plan is to draw water from Cauvery at Hogenakkal, filter it, and provide clean drinking water. In 2010, the cost was revised to ₹1,928 crore and implemented.

The project caters to three municipalities (including Hosur, which later became a corporation), 17 town panchayats, and 7,639 rural habitations where over 11.94 lakh people were found to have skeletal or dental fluorosis. The volume of water required for the two districts was 167.21 MLD, and now the need has only increased over the years.

Last year, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the Hogenakkal 2.0 project will be brought to Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts at a cost of ₹4,600 crore to ensure that even the most isolated villages receive clean drinking water. On Monday, during the budget session, the Finance Minister announced that ₹7,145 crore will be provided for the HDWFMP.

PMK MLA from Dharmapuri, SP Venkateshwaran, commenting on the project, said, "There are lapses in the project and not all panchayats in the district provide clean drinking water under the HDWFMP. This announcement may rectify the lapses and provide clean drinking water. We welcome the announcement."

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board officials said, "At present, HDWFMP provides roughly 60 MLD of water to Dharmapuri and 70 MLD of water to Krishnagiri district. Under Hogenakkal 2.0, more water will be provided. Currently, people are provided with 35 liters per day and municipalities are provided with 55 liters per day, but in the second phase, rural areas will be provided with 55 liters per day and 135 liters per day in urban areas."

Media: Indian Express