Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 24: Contrary to the widespread opposition the proposal to divert River Netravati towards the east has been receiving in the district, home minister, Dr V S Acharya informed the state legislative council on Wednesday December 23, that the people of the coastal districts are not opposed to the proposal for diverting the river to quench the thirst of the dry districts of the state.

He however, clarified that the people are not against diverting excess water from the river during the rainy season. However, as soon as the rainy season ends, the people want to ensure that the flow of the river stands restricted to Dakshina Kannada alone, he added. He gave this clarification, while intervening in a discussion started by opposition leader, V S Ugrappa, during the question hour.

MLC, B R Gurudev, expressed the apprehension that this proposal may not get the nod from the central government because of the environmental and ecological impact it may have on the Western Ghats. He pointed out that for this very reason, the central government had denied permission for the Gundia hydro electric power project.