Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Jul 10: “While the bitter memory of the city’s water woes of this summer season still haunt the minds of many, the proposed Netravathi River diversion project is all set to be implemented in the guise of ‘Etthina Hole’ project thereby raising fear of a water crisis,” alleged state secretary of JD(S) M G Hegde. He was addressing the reporters at a press conference here on Tuesday July 10.

He said that as the monsoon rains are not occurring according to expectations, people in MCC limits may have to face a severe water crisis in the coming years. He urged that thus, the Netravathi River diversion project should be cancelled. “However, a practical possibility should be revealed through ‘presentation’ to educate the people on this issue,” he added and said he is not against providing water to other districts.
 
Hegde also spoke on the issue of pending construction work of the market in Bejai which has not been carried out since two and a half years. “As a result, many fish sellers do not have any alternate facility; they have taken a temporary roof adjacent to the road near Bejai Church, but their life is at risk as part of the wall collapses every now and then,” he added.
 
“Water logged areas near the market have turned into breeding centers of mosquitoes which cause malaria and dengue. If action is not initiated within 48 hours from today, the fisheries unit of district JD(S) will siege MCC,” Hegde warned.
 
To a query on the caste-based political developments taking place in the state, M B Sadashiva, president, DK district unit of JD(S), said that the BJP is now the receiving hand of dividing society on the basis of caste and religion. “With this attitude of the BJP, mockery of democracy is taking place in the state,” he said.