Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Oct 29: The Dakshina Kannada District Anganwadi Workers, Teachers and Helpers Association held a protest rally here on Thursday October 29, demanding the state government to drop the controversial Yettinahole project.

Mangaluru City Corporation mayor Jacintha Alfred flagged off the rally in front of Mangala Stadium. The rally culminated at DC's office with a protest meet.

Addressing the protestors, activist M G Hegde said, "The state government has said that it will take water only excess water during the rainy season. But this is not true and people of Dakshina Kannada should not believe such statements. Twenty-four TMC of water is not available. Right now we are facing water crisis in the rainy season itself, hence there is no possibility of providing water to Kolar.

"If the project is completed, after 10 years the Netravati river may dry up. Then we will not get any water and we will have to migrate from our district. So far the government has not called for a meeting to discuss the project. Now the cost of this project has come upto Rs 13,000 crore and in future it may reach up to Rs 50,000 crore for sure. To provide water to Kolar district, the water has to be transported to a distance of 350 km. This is not possible. The state government is fooling the people of Kolar," he said.

"When there is no water at your house, women face many problems. When a child wants a mobile phone, it asks the father, but when the child needs food and water, it approaches the mother. Our struggle towards stopping the project will not stop," he said.

Condemning the deputy director of women and child welfare development Sundar Poojary who reportedly ordered the Anganwadi teachers and helpers not to attend the protest, Hegde said, "Sundar Poojary is betraying his own district. The water which he is drinking is from Netravati river only. Do not blackmail Anganwadi teachers and helpers by telling them not to attend the protest. The people here have joined the protest for a great cause. When we approached the Green Tribunal to stop the project, the govenrment gave a statement saying that the people of Dakshina Kannada do not have a right to Netravati river. This can be implemented on Sundar Poojary and his family also. We have already prepared ourselves to shut down Mangaluru for one week."

Rosario parish priest Fr J B Crasta said, "Varahi project has already failed and it has cost a lot. And now one more project is coming up. This project will also fail for sure. The government is taking up projects without any proper scientific discussion."

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik said, "The government is trying to steal Netravati river from us. This project is not feasible and before it fails, the government should wake up from its sleep and stop this project and save all the money that will go into it. This is an unscientific project. It will only benefit the people who are involved in it and not the Kolar district."

Former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty said that the people of Dakshina Kannada district are already facing water problems and in December and January there will not be much water to drink. "Agricultural fields are dried up and farmers are struggling to find water. Most of the families from Dakshina Kannada are dependent on fishing. Excess rain water which flows to the river and sea provides food for the fish. If the government diverts the Netravati river then the fish will die without food. To stop this project, the people of Dakshina Kannada are ready to protest in any manner. If the project continues then there is no doubt that Tulunadu will burn. This project will destroy the district. The government must immediately stop this project and let the people live a peaceful life."

P V Mohan, Fr Watson, deputy mayor Purushotham and others were also present.