Pejawar Swami promises to hold talks with CM

It is not right to block the flow of water, says Pejawar Seer

Pejawar seer Vishweshatheertha Swamiji visited the spot where mud was dumped for laying of Special Economic Zone Corridor road on one side of River Phalguni near Kuloor.

He promised to hold talks with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and try to solve the problems faced by the residents of Melukoppalu and Athrebailu.

The road is laid by dumping mud on one kilometre stretch. With the dumping of the mud, the water level in the river has increased and the residents of Melukoppala and Athrebailu are facing the threat of flood during monsoon.

Objecting to the dumping of the mud, the residents had stopped the work on Friday.

Inspite of CRZ notification, the work on Special Economic Zone Corridor road was carried out by the authorities concerned, alleged the locals. SDPI and DYFI organisations extended their support to the local residents in their protest.

Pejawar seer said it is not right to block the flow of water in the river and thus cause inconvenience to the residents. Laying of a road by violating the rules and regulations is not correct. I will discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and officials concerned and find a solution to the problems faced by the residents.

All of us have a great responsibility of maintaining the balance in nature. In this background, I will urge the government to take measures to remove the mud which was dumped in the region.

I will speak to the Chief Minister over phone on Tuesday and urge him to construct a retaining wall beside the river, so that the residents be free from the fear of flood during monsoon, he said.

To a query on his future course of action if the authorities fail to remove the mud, he said first I will hold talks with the Chief Minister. If I get negative response, then I will support the people in all their future course of action.

Melukoppa has 200 to 300 houses. All the houses get inundated during monsoon. By dumping soil, the problem of flood will be worsened during monsoon.

After the MSEZ commenced the work on the road, the water level has increased by three feet. If this is the case during summer, one can imagine what will happen to us during monsoon said locals.

Though we had filed a compalint to the authorities concerned, no action has been initiated against the dumping of mud in the region,” said SDPI Kavoor Block leader Rafiq Kuloor.