Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jun 11: Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, said that a massive protest with support from the general public would be launched against the proposed Netravati River diversion plan.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday June 10, he felt it was the duty of every citizen of the twin-districts on the state’s coast, to oppose this plan. “During the next six months, a popular movement extending from Sullia to Mangalore will be carried out, in support of demands for setting up of separate railway division at Mangalore, rightful demand on agricultural land, and Netravati River diversion plan,” he announced.

Kateel noted that demands of the people from the district were getting lesser priority because Mangalore falls under Palakkad railway division, while Hassan-Mangalore route comes under south-western railway division, and Konkan Railway has its own operations. “To address this issue, it is necessary to carve out a separate Mangalore railway division. Secondly, there is a need to take  pre-emptive steps to ensure that agricultural land in Dakshina Kannada district is not utilized for other activities henceforth for the industries that have already got the nod here were taking a heavy toll on the environment. Netravati River division is a serious matter that will cause havoc in the sensitive environment and ecology of the region,” he explained.

The MP said that the opinion of the people will be collected during the first phase of the movement. In the second phase, people’s support will be gathered. Seminars and interactions will also be held. There is a need to safeguard the interests of the district through collective efforts and action, he felt.