Mangaluru: The state government is destroying the river basins through the Yettinahole project. This will not only affect the coastal areas but will also affect all the rivers in Karnataka, said the retired professor of NITK, M G Mayya in a meeting held by the Netravati Rakshana Samyukta Samiti at CBOO hall here on September 29.
He further said that some people are trying to please the people of certain areas and at the same time neglecting the people of Dakshina Kannada in the Yettinahole project. If we study the project well, we will realize the problems we will face in future. Only 8 TMC water will be available from the Yettinahole project and not the assumed 24 TMC water. This is not a drinking water project. If we maintain silence in the Yettinahole project the future generation will surely face severe water crises, Mayya stressed.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “Under the leadership of the state president of Ganga Seva Mission Anand Swaroop we will intensify our protest against the Yetthinahole project. We have already met the central minister and briefed about the disadvantages of the Yettinahole project. Once again the people of Dakshina Kannada should get down to the streets to protest against this project”.
President of NRSS Vijaykumar Shetty blamed the former Chief ministers Veerappa Moily and Sadananda Gowda directly responsible for implementing the Yettinahole Project. They have disturbed the peace of the people in the district. Even the district minister in-charge Ramanath Rai maintained silence over the issue.
Anand Swaroop Swamiji said, “From the past one year, I have learnt about the Yettinhaole project. This problem is not only for the Coastal district but will be a universal issue. When there is a danger to our culture, tradition and nature we have to protect it. In the name of “development terrorism”, nature has been destroyed, and it is unbearable.”
He further said, “95% of the people are against the Yettinahole project and no one can claim that it is right, let the people behind this project stop lying. One should stop playing with nature. I will join hands with all the organizations to fight against this project. I will bring this issue to the notice of Prime minister Narendra Modi. I will also take part in the protest in Mangaluru related to the Yettinahole project”.
He also said, “This project is to make money. We should all join hands forgetting caste, creed and religion and fight for justice. There is no proper detailed project report (DPR) about the Yettinahole project, which is purely a project to loot money”.
Member of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya Dr Niranjan Rai, Anwar Manippadi, Purushotham Chitrapur and others were also present. Advocate Dinakar Shetty compered the programme.