Madras HC lifts ban on river water supply to Pepsi, Coca Cola in Tamil Nadu

In Nov 2016, HC imposed a stay on Pepsi and Coca-Cola plants from using Thamirabarani river water

The Madurai bench of Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed against the supply of Thamirabarani river water to co-packers of Pepsi and Coca-Cola in Tirunelvelli.

Stating there will be no ban on water supply to Pepsi and Coca-Cola, the High Court also lifted its stay order.

The petitioner argued that farmers will suffer as Pepsi and Coca-Cola will use water for their commercial gains.

The companies, however, insisted that they would use only the surplus water.

The petition was filed by DA Prabakar, who claimed that agricultural activities and the livelihood of people is getting affected due to the supply of water to these two leading companies.

Earlier in November last year, the High Court imposed a stay on Pepsi and Coca-Cola plants from using Thamirabarani river water in Tirunelveli.