CHENNAI: The contract, covering a major component of the Rs. 1,334-crore Hogenakkal water supply and fluorosis mitigation project, is likely to be settled shortly.

The component covers the construction of head-works and two master balancing reservoirs in addition to the establishment of water treatment plant of the capacity of 160 million litres a day (MLD).

Tomorrow (December 10) is the last date for submission of bids for the pre-qualification stage. So far, 29 companies, including French, Australian and American firms, have responded to the tender invited by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, according to an official. Once the bids are received, the technical parameters of the companies will be evaluated. The firms that pass the test of technical evaluation will be asked to submit price bids. Normally, the company that turns out to be the lowest bidder is selected for the implementation of the component. The entire process will be over by the end of this month, the official says.

The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), till recently known as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), will fund 85 per cent of the project cost. A team of officials of the TWAD Board had held discussions with the JICA on the funding arrangement. The selection of technical support organisation for the implementation of fluorosis mitigation component is expected to be completed this week, the official adds. On completion, the project, benefiting 29.8 lakh people, will provide water supply to three municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 6,755 habitations in 18 panchayat unions of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts at a cost of Rs.1,334 crore. The annual maintenance cost will be Rs.51.65 crore.

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