Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 20: "If dinosaurs were still alive, we humans would be extinct. Change is natural. Extinction and evolution are two sides of the same coin,'' said Professor Ram Prasad, IISc, Bangaluru, the man behind the controversial Yettinahole Project, addressing the fears of Western Ghats being affected due to the project. He was participating in a brain storming, educative and brilliant seminar organized by Institute of Engineers [India],NIT-K Surathkal, and American Civil Engineers Association, held at NIT-K, seminar hall, Surathkal.

Professor Yadupathy Putty, NIE, Mysore, explained the intricacies of the project of which he was a part , by slides and pictures of the Western Ghats,where the tributaries of Nethravathi river join. The diversion is only of excess water and the target is 24 tmc. " I agree with most of what Professor Ram Prasad propagates, with minimum disagreements" said Professor Putty, for whom Professor Ram Prasad was a guide in his project.

Professor Ram Prasad explained the Yettinahole Project in detail. Various flow charts, schematic diagrams, pictures and statistics of the water flow over the years, with record from 1976 onwards was displayed. The amount of tmc of water to each district that would benefit from this diversion was explained. Tumkur district gets the most water and it also benefits Bangalore Rural, Chikmaglur,Chikkaballapur,and Kolar.

"Drinking Water is a need, and we have to 'Sacrifice' a little to cater to this basic human need" he said.

"We have no guarantee that this water will only be used for drinking and not for other purposes and that the quantity proposed to be used of 24 tmc, would not be overshot and our Dakshina Kannada's need for water would be strained'' said Professor S G Mayya,of NIT-K, strongly opposing the Yettinahole project,by providing facts and figures,substantiating the fact that the River Diversion is also being hurried through,without taking people of D K into confidence. ''In Colarado,USA,it took 100 years for a similar project to be completed and had four US Presidents seal on it'' said Professor Mayya, stressing the point that more time should be taken when such a huge project involving so many people's lives is concerned.

There was a very healthy debate on the pros and cons of the project,with the NIT-K. students involved in full measure.

Yettinahole being a sensitive subject,entry was restricted, Er Jerardin D'souza,Founder,Mangalore Alzheimer's Association-MAA-being a member of IEI[India] had invited Nandagopal, Political Activist, to have a ringside view of the Real Issue, 'heart of the matter' where the actual facts are discussed threadbare with Engineers who propose and execute the project. He was enriched by the exposure to the intricacies of Yettinahole and proposes to campaign more scientifically.

"The politicians are trying to divide the intellectuals and are taking us for a ride. There is a lobby of contactors and politicians and already 600 crores worth steel is ordered,this is an indication of a future Scam'' said Professor S G Mayya. "In a project of this magnitude ,ordering material runs parallel,as it takes time for pumps,tubes,etc to be custom built, to avoid delay and consequent cost escalation,release of funds is a must,nothing wrong should be thought of it:" countered Professor Ram Prasad.,defending the Government spending.

Professor Madhyastha,Enviornment Expert, spoke of the ecological and environmental aspects involved in the sensitive bio diversity of western ghats.

The students had very thought provoking questions,which were answered by the panel.

"These academicians are practically impossible" said a senior authority. But today we see that by designing the Yettinahole Project Professor Ram Prasad has proved that academicians are also practical''said Dr Er Shrihari, Professor of Civil Engineering, NIT-K,who organized the seminar.

Chairman IEI, Dr Er Surendranathan presided .

The Seminar had three main speakers,Professor Ram Prasad,IISc, Bengaluru and Professor Yadupathy Putty,NIE, Mysuru, for the Project and Professor S G Mayya, NIT-K, against the project. After a brain storming 4 hour session,a break for high tea and then there was panel discussion,where students questions were answered.

''The seminar cleared many doubts and created many more. That is the way it should be for engineers.The mind should always question. When Tehri Dam was built, in a panel of eight Engineers ,seven disagreed with Nigam,the chief, "I have my calculations right,the Dam will succeed' said Nigam.Today Mr.Nigam is no more but the Tehri Dam stands helping people" said Professor Shrihari, in conclusion,who moderated the seminar brilliantly.