Mangaluru : Member of Legislative Assembly, J R Lobo said “If the Yettinahole project is harmful to the environment, affects the inflow of water to the river Netravathi and Western Ghats, the work on the project should be stalled.

Speaking to media persons here on Monday, he said, he will urge the State government to convene a consultation meeting with people of Dakshina Kannada on the Yettinahole project.

“The government should take the people of the district into confidence before going ahead with the project. A detailed study on the availability of water at Yettinahole, impact on the environment and Western Ghats and inflow of water to the river which is the lifeline to Dakshina Kannada district should be conducted and if the report is already available, then it should be shared among the people of the district,” he demanded.
Doubting over the availability of 24 TMC of water claimed by the authorities from the Department of Major Irrigation he said, he had asked the officials to confirm the availability of water in Yettinahole.

“During the presentation made by the officials of the Major Irrigation Department to the MLAs and MLCs, the officials had said that no reservoirs will be constructed and only flood water during monsoon will be lifted to supply it to the parched districts,” he said.

However, the MLA was not aware when the media persons said that eight weirs between Hongadahole and Doddanaagara will be constructed as part of the proposed project.

Stating that he has concern for the people of Kolar who are reeling under drought, he said while tackling the problems faced by them, the government should ensure that the people of the coastal district are not affected.

“If the study report confirms no harm to the district, then I have no objection for the implementation of the project,” he clarified. He meanwhile, urged the State to implement Paschimavahini project, wherein vented dams will be constructed across the west-flowing rivers at various places, which will help increase the ground water-level and also farmers irrigate land.

Tulunada Rakshana Vedike members began their protest against the Nethravati diversion project on Monday by offering prayers at a temple, mosque and a church.

The prayers were offered at Mangaladevi temple, Hazrath Saidani Bibi Dargah and at Rosario Church, praying for the success of the protest and also to punish those elected representatives and officials who have been issuing false statements agaist the project.

The vedike will organise padayatre in different parts of the city on September 3 and will distribute pamphlets.

Vedike leader M G Hegde in his Facebook page said “there is a need to protect river Netravathi. It is an attempt to swindle money in the name of big project.” Uppinangady GP members have extended their support to the protest.