Udupi – The Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti has announced plans to hold a protest in Mangaluru during the last week of May, urging the government to take immediate action to prevent pollution of the Netravati River—a crucial drinking water source for Bantwal and Mangaluru.
At a press conference, the Samiti’s founder-president Thonse Jayakrishna A. Shetty revealed that a delegation will soon meet Karnataka’s Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Eshwar Khandre, to press for urgent measures to safeguard rivers in the region. A symbolic protest will also be held soon to raise public awareness and demand accountability.
The committee will also focus on coastal cleanliness initiatives in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.
Highlighting a previous demand, Shetty noted that the Adani-run thermal power plant in Padubidri, operational since 2010, should ensure round-the-clock electricity supply to local districts before power is diverted elsewhere. The plant generates 1300 MW, nearly 45% of which goes to Bengaluru, while local areas face frequent power outages.
The committee has already met with key leaders including Speaker U T Khader, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, and former CMs Veerappa Moily and Sadananda Gowda. Speaker Khader has reportedly written to the Energy Minister supporting the committee’s demand.
The press meet was also attended by president Nityananda Kotyan, vice presidents K P, Jagadeesh Adhikari, Arun Prakash Shetty, and district secretary Surendra Mendon.
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