Rs 2 cr for Arkavathi rejuvenation

Law and Parliamentary affairs minister inaugurates four-day padayatra

Speaking at a function to launch padayatara to create awareness on preserving the river Arkavathi at Nandi Hills in the taluk on Thursday, Yelahanka legislator Vishwnath said that the money would be utilised to conduct a survey of the river basin. He disclosed that the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has assured of constituting a high-level committee for the purpose.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister Suresh Kumar who launched the padayatra by offering puja at the source of the river, said that the programme has been organised to create awareness on the river that flows through Bangalore Urban, Rural and Ramanagaram districts. The minister revealed that the four-day padayatra will conclude on September 6 at Thippagondanahalli.

Victim of greed

Environmentalist Yallappa Reddy, who spoke on the occasion said that the effluents from industries in the expanding Bangalore City are being discharged to the river Arkavathi.

The river has also become a victim for the greed of sand mining operators, land grabbing mafia and quarrying. The programme proposes to clean the river basin, clear the encroachments and rejuvenate it, Yallappa Reddy observed.

Govindarajanagar MLA Muniraju, Slum Clearance and Drinage Board chairman J
Narasimhaswamy, Maluru swamiji, Chakrabavi seer, Nelamangala Urban Development Authority president Mallanna  and others were present on the occasion.