In a press release, MSEZL COO A G Pai clarified that CES, Bangalore has been awarded the work for detailed engineering study for designing the barrages and fixing height without inundating any land along the river banks and the agency has to carry out topographical and geo-technical survey near Polali and Maragodanagodi on Gurpur river and Sarapadi and Jakribettu on Nethravathi river.

This is on the wake of public protest at Polali when the MSEZ officials came to survey for the barrage on Thursday. The locals expressed their anger as they think some areas will be submerged if the project is implemented. However, Mr Pai stated in the press release that the dams will recharge the groundwater on either side of the rivers and can even help the farming community. Further, it shall in no way affect the drinking water requiremnts of the public, he ensured.

Stating that the MSEZL shall keep the relevant panchayats informed regarding the commencement of surveys, Mr Pai said that the other two sources identified to fulfil the requirements are water from the three sewage treatment plants (STPs) of Mangalore and reservoir created within the SEZ.