Shri Vishweshateertha Swamiji promises help to people of Athrebailu / Melukoppalu

Shri Vishweshateertha Swamiji promises help to people of Athrebailu / Melukoppalu

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 17, 2012 : Shri Vishweshateertha Swamiji, the Pejawar Mutt seer, visited the site where the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZL) is constructing a road and dumping mud into River Phalguni near Kuloor.

After carefully inspecting the spot, the swamiji said that he will discuss the issue with CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda and will try to solve the problems faced by the people of Athrebailu and Melukoppalu.

 

 

MSEZL is laying the road by dumping mud along a 1km stretch. These activities have increased the level of water in River Phalguni and the local people are afraid of floods during monsoons.

It may be recalled that the local people stopped MSEZL workers on Friday, alleging that the company is continuing the work in spite of a CRZ notification that prohibits them from doing so. Meanwhile organizations such as SDPI and DYFI have extended their support to the local people.

Speaking about the issue, the Pejawar swamiji said that it is wrong to block the flow of water and increase the risk of a flood. Stating that the MSEZ is laying a road in violation of all rules and regulations, the swamiji said that he will bring this issue to the notice of the chief minister and will urge the government to direct the company to remove the mud dumped into the river.

He promised that he will hold a telephonic discussion with the CM on Tuesday and will urge him to construct a retention wall by the side of the river to protect the local people from a possible flood.

Melukoppa already faces severe flooding problems during monsoons, and now the problem will be worsened because the company has dumped soil into the river. Local people say that MSEZ’s road building activities have increased the level of water in the river by 3ft.

Rafiq Kuloor, the leader of the Kavoor block of SDPI, said that the authorities concerned have taken no action in spite of the complaints lodged against MSEZ.