Mangaluru: “In order to urge the government to immediately stop the yettinahole project, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel will lead a padayatra with the slogan “Save Nethravati, Save Dakshina Kannada” and a mass rally “Namma nade Yettinaholege”, which will begin from Kankanady Shri Bhrama Bydarkala Garadi on Oct 10. A huge protest meet will be held thereafter, on Oct 13 at the yettinahole project region” said K Prathap Simha, BJP DK President.
He was addressing the media persons here at the District BJP office.
“This rally will be held in order to create awareness among the people of our district and to take them to the project site where they will come to know about the reality of 24 TMC water”, he said.
“We have joined hands with all the organizations opposing this project to hold the mass rally, and will also participate in the protests, discussions taken up by those organizations. We want to be the voice of district, and with one voice for a cause we will hold this rally”, he added.
The much awaited Varahi Irrigation Project that started with an estimate of Rs 19Cr to provide water for farmers was completed after 35 years spending approximate Rs 600 Cr, which did not have forest and environment clearance, and was an unscientific project. In the same lines, yettinahole project has been taken up and should be stopped immediately as the national green tribunal has ordered to stall the work.
He further made a demand and said, “Those involved in the project, the Water Irrigation minister, KNNL engineers, Ministers, MLA’s should come to the district and hold a serious discussion with public, experts, activists and answer all the questions, and find out alternate ways to provide drinking water to the parched districts”.
Responding to a question regarding if the MP has tried other ways to stop the project, Nalin Kumar replied, “As a MP, it’s my duty and responsibility to address the public grievance, and make sure the district is not affected. So with this regard, the rally will be held to create awareness among people, at the same time warn the government to speed up the public discussion and stop the project. I have also written to the Central Ministers regarding this, and in the forthcoming parliament session would raise the issue and concerns of the public of the district”.
“My responsibility is to take the district people to the project place, and let people from parched districts visit that place and do a study, then they will realize that the project will fail, and will be of any use”, he added.
When asked about the repeated statements by Union Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, speaking in support of the project, Kateel said that he was confident of convincing everyone in the matter. “The party leaders will be conveyed the concern of people in Dakshina Kannada and urge to stand with the people”, he said.
“The padayatra is not an end of the struggle, but is the beginning, and will be continued till the government stops the work and finds a scientific solution to quench the thirst of parched districts”, Kateel added.
MLC Ganesh Karnik, Former MLA Krishna J Palemer and other leaders were present.
