Mangaluru, Oct 10, 2015 : The four-day Padayatra against the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project organised by the Disrict BJP under the leadership of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel was flagged off by District BJP President Pratap Simha Nayak at the Shree Brahma Baidarkala Garodi on October 10, Saturday. Nayak handed over the party flag to Nalin Kumar thus heralding the commencement of the Padayatra.
Speaking to media men on the occasion, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel informed that every day the padayatra would cover a distance of 30 kms. He said the Padayatra participants would halt at BC Road on Saturday and resume their jorney from there on Sunday. The next halt will be at Uppinangady on Sunday, while the Padayatra would proceed to Gundia and halt there on October 12, Monday.
He said a public meeting would be held at BC Road on Saturday and at Gundia on October 12. The Padayatra would conclude at Yettinahole wherein the protestors would gherao the Yettinahole Project site along with thousands of protestors from Sakaleshpur, Nalin informed.
He said a large crowd would not be taking part in the Padayatra as it would creat traffic hurdles enroute.
He said the promise by the Government to provide water to Kolar through the implementation of the project would turn out false and urged all leaders including Veerappa Moily, CM Siddaramaiah, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, BJP State President Prahlad Joshi and others to visit the place.
The Padayatra commenced after prayers at the Garodi Kshetra in the presence of Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji, Sroi Mohandas Swamiji and Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Odiyoor, Manila and Gurupur Vajradehi Mutts respectively.
Several persons including social activists MG Hegde, Dinesh Holla, MLA S Angara, MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik, former MLAs Mallika Prasad Bhandary, Krishna Palemar Yogish Bhat and others were present.