Bantwal: A novel protest against Netravathi diversion project

Mangalore Today News Network

Bantwal, Jan 15, 2014: The Karavali Jeevanadi Netravathi Rakshana Samithi  performed a ‘Nadi Pooja’ ritual to Netravathi river at Bantwal and vowed that it  would  fight until the government decided to drop the controversial Yettinahole project aimed at diverting Netravathi River.

The rituals were offered  under the leadership of Sri Vidya Prasanna Theertha Swamiji of Sri Subrahmanya Mutt. In his address, the seer said projects involving diversion of rivers would be disastrous and urged the government to shelve the project which, he said was only snatching the rights of the people of the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vijaykumar Shetty, former MLA of Suratkal who was instrumental in organising this novel protest in his address, hoped the Chief minister would  keep up his promise of convening a meeting of officials and experts to discuss the pros and cons of the project.

Prof. SG Mayya, Professor in NITK, said the implementation of the project would be a wasteful exercise. As against the estimated cost of Rs 8,660 the project cost may exceed Rs 18000 crore when completed, he said.

MG Hegde, social activist and several others were present.