Govt must withdraw the proposed Netravati River Diversion Project: Poojary

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 29, 2014: Former union minister and senior congress leader B Janardhan Poojary said that Netravati River Diversion Project or Yettinhole Drinking Water project will create a blunder in the e district; hence Government must give up such hazardous projects.

Speaking at the press meet held at District Congress Office on Jan 29, Wednesday,  he said that there is no necessity of river diversion to provide drinking water to the people of Kolar since, the alternative drinking water project report has been already prepared, wherein the water from K.R.Pura’s Yele Mallappa reservoir can be pumped to Palar reservoir in Kolar through 32 km long pipeline to facilitate the people of Kolar. This report will be prepared by Deputy Commissioner, while minister for health and family welfare UT Khader will be supervising it, he added.

 

Poojary also said that the project will cost Rs 230 crore and does not require any land acquisition for laying the pipeline. The report will be submitted to the Chief Minister as soon it is completed and will be implemented with his approval.

Speaking about the Netravati diversion project, Poojary said that the government had given the estimated budget of Rs 10,000 crore at the beginning, but it may cost the double once it gets completed. The government has not even given the specific time of its completion.

He also said that the government must withdraw the proposed project since the district faces water scarcity in the month of April and the crisis worsens by June. The Under Ground Water Table will also get depleted; hence the project will be the cause of destruction to the people.