Chennai, Dec 5 : Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin Saturday asked state government officials to start construction work on the Hogenakkal drinking water project by March next year.

Chairing a review meeting on the project here, Stalin instructed officials to start work so that project could be completed by 2012.

The project will provide drinking water to the people of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts out of Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water in order to mitigate the impact of fluorosis in these regions.

The project is implemented with the financial assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the foundation stone for the project was laid last February by Stalin at Dharmapuri.

While the initial cost estimates put the project outlay at Rs. 1,334 crore, the revised cost sheet shows the project would involve an outlay of Rs. 1,928.30 crore.

Briefing Stalin, the officials said the project has been divided into five packages and pre-bid evaluation of the contractors for four has been completed.

The process of selecting eligible bidders for the remaining package is on.(IANS)