IN APRIL 1983, the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments signed the Telugu Ganga project agreement, under which Madras would get 15 tmc ft of water from the Srisailam reservoir between February and September. Government indifference and lack of funds delayed the project, but it has been revived recently.

A scheme to bring water from the Veernam lake 218 km away was abandoned 15 years ago after Rs 50 crore was spent on it. Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha has promised to bring Veernam water to Madras within one year.

Another plan was to tap water from the Cauvery at Kilkatalai, 25 km from Tiruchi, and bring the water to Madras. Cloud-seeding was also considered.

The latest scheme is to convert Pulicate lake to supply water for the city.