MANGALURU: When all ministers in the Siddaramaiah government are favouring the Yettinahole project, Congress MLA JR Lobo has expressed strong exception to the scheme.
The Mangaluru City South MLA has challenged the government to prove scientifically the actual availability of water that can drawan from the Yettinahole project. Addressing a daylong hunger strike organized by Nethravati Rakshana Samyuktha Samiti (NRSS) near the deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday, he said, “There is a need for a scientific study on the availability of water in Netrhavati river and from the Yettinahole project catchment areas. I have objection to the Yettinahole project and as an elected representative of the region, I support this protest that is apolitical. The government must conduct a scientific study to ascertain the availability of water in the project area.”
He also said it is the responsibility of the government to listen to the grievances of the people of the region especially when they are agitating. “I would not have opposed the project had it been given the go-ahead by the government after a scientifically study. The government is not giving any assurance that project will not adversely affect the Western Ghats or the people in the district,” Lobo said.
He suggested that the government needs to find out alternatives to provide drinking water to Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts. “The government can think about diverting the downstream water from Sharavathi Power Plant to Bayalu Seeme and Bengaluru. I will try to bring this to the notice of the government,” Lobo said.
He also endorsed the demands of activists of NRSS to set up a panel, Nethravati Jala Samrakshana Pradhikara, to protect the rights of the people of Dakshina Kannada on Nethravathi river.
Courtesy: Times of India