Mangalore: Govt deceiving people with Netravati diversion project - Dr Mayya

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Aug 18: “The government should take people into consideration when it takes up any mega project because the project is built with the money of the public. Hence, it is also necessary to give a detailed account of the project to the people but here in the Yethinahole project, there is no authentic and reliable information given to the people. The government and representatives are deceiving the people without providing authentic information,” said Dr S G Mayya, professor, water resource engineering, department of applied mechanics and hydraulics, NITK Suratkal.  

He was speaking at the interactive meeting organized by Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on ‘Netravati River Diversion Scheme’ in Kanara Chamber building here on Saturday August 17.

Dr Mayya said, “Paramashivaya was the one who initiated the idea of Netravati river diversion project. The project was planned in two schemes. If this project is done, 2,166 hectares of Western Ghats will be deteriorated, and the ecology and environment will be ruined. This project has claimed benefits such as ease of navigation, control of flood damage in Bantwal, development of tourism, irrigation, and power generation. The purported benefits of the projects are totally baseless and it is misleading the people.”

“Later, the name of the project was changed to Yethinahole Project and it was states as scheme for diversion of flood water from Shakleshpura (West) to Kolar, Chikabalapur district (East). El Technology Pvt Ltd Bombay has given the feasibility report to Karnataka Niravari Nigama Limited. To lifit 24 TMC water, a 233 km canal should be constructed in the Western Ghat region which completely ruins the life in the coastal area due to the deterioration of environment and ecology.

"This water is not only used for Kolar and Chikabalpur region but is also flown into various other streams and rivers. This poses problems to the people who depend on the Netravati river basin. Presently, the coastal people face water scarcity for 180 days. What steps has the government taken to prevent it? It will also affect irrigation in the coastal area. We don’t have any forum to raise our voice. Our representatives are misleading us and in future if this project materializes, people will have to face various natural disasters,” he added.    

Mohammed Ameen, president of KCCI, M Ganesh Bhat, treasurer, Jeevan Saldanha, secretary, B Nigam Vasani, vice-president of KCCI, and Ram Mohan Pai Maroor were present on this occasion.