'Answer 10 questions on Yettinahole'

‘Yettinahole – Uttara Needi’, a three-day campaign by Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya has posed 10 questions regarding Yettinahole project, to the State government and has challenged the government to answer all the questions.

“If the government cannot answer all the questions put across, it should drop the Yettinahole project. On the other hand, if the government succeeds in replying, the members of the Sanchaya will stop the fight against the project,” said the Sanchaya convenor Dinesh Holla.

Speaking on the occasion, Holla said that as per the report of the IISc, 9.55tmc of water will be available at the project site, but only 0.85 tmc of water will be available to carry to the eastern districts. “The project is meant to provide a supply of 24tmc water to Tumakuru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts and also parts of Bengaluru City. Then, how will the rest of the water need be fulfilled and from where will the water be procured? If the rest of the water is to be drawn from Kumaradhara River or Nethravathi River, how will the requirement of drinking water in the district be fulfilled?” he asked.

He complained that the ministers from the district were not concerned about the welfare of the local residents, and said that the government was planning to divert Kumaradhara River too.

He invited the elected representatives to participate in a public debate organised on the campus of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, on September 19. If the government does not change its stand regarding the Yettinahole project, a call will be given for a district bandh, he warned.

Ramachandra Baikampadi, former chairperson of the Fisheries Development Corporation, said that the Yettinahole project, if carried out, will have a drastic impact upon the fisheries industry, as a large population of fish will be destroyed. “After December, there will be a serious dearth of water in the coastal district,” he reminded.

Harikrishna Punaroor, former president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, said that the people of Dakshina Kannada district should be ready to stage a severe fight against the Yettinahole project.

The horse ‘Vira’, which Avinand rode, was the centre of attraction at the protest.
Avinand said that he would ride the horse during the campaigns of the Sanchaya, to request the people to oppose the implementation of the Yettinahole project. He added that he would support the protest carried out by the All College Students’ Union against the project.

Tulunadu Rakshana Vedike President Yogish Shetty Jeppu, Kannada Katte President Dr Annaiah Kulal and others were present.
DH News Service