Mangalore: Protestors slam govt over Netravati river diversion project

Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV/MD)

Mangalore, Jan 10: The Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya on Friday January 10 protested near the DC's office, expressing strong opposition to the proposed diversion of Netravati River or the Yettinahole project as it is known.

Addressing the protest, coordinator of Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya Dinesh Holla siad, "All the organizations should come together and join hands with us to fight for this cause. We cannot rely on the government. The government is doing exactly opposite to what we expect from them. We shouldn’t have voted for this corrupt government.

"Prior to the elections Veerappa Moily had assured that he would not allow the Netravati diversion project to proceed, but later he forgot his promise. Fishermen and farmers completely rely on river Netravati, it is also the lifeline of the coastal people. Karnataka government is now trying to divert the river by spending Rs 60,000 crore for this river diversion," he said.

"The project is branded as a 'drinking water project' but the water will be used for industrial purpose. A few people from Dakshina Kannada also are supporting the project and we strongly condemning this. Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya is holding this protest to create awareness among the people of coastal area. Dr Paramashivayya is telling lies that this project will not affect coastal area. Former chief minister Sadananda Gowda too says this project will be completed without cutting trees. They are all fooling the people," he said.

AICC member P V Mohan said, "Politicians are not bothered about this land. National parties should have the vision to solve regional problems, only then can they survive. Has any river diversion project in this world succeeded? MPs and MLAs should raise their voice against this project."

Environmentalist Dinesh Shetty said that though he is differently-abled, he would continue fighting for the cause.

Harikrishna Punaroor said, "Government should not give our resources to others. It is using us. We must save our Netravati river and Tulunadu."
      
Dr Niranjan Jain inaugurated the protest.

Dinesh Pai, Madhav Ullal and others were present.