Yettinahole stir prompts CM to revive Paschima Vahini project

The State Cabinet meeting on Monday is learnt to have witnessed arguments and counter-arguments among a section of ministers regarding the Yettinahole project, prompting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to direct officials to revive the Paschima Vahini project.

The Paschima Vahini project envisages harnessing the west-flowing rivers. The government hopes implementing that project will mollify those opposed to  Yettinahole project in coastal districts.

According to sources, ministers from the coastal region Ramanath Rai and U T Khader told the meeting that they were unable to face the ire of the people back home, against Yettinahole project. The project envisages supply of drinking water to Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru and Ramanagar districts.

The protesters feel the project will dry up their lifeline - the Nethravati river - and trigger a water crisis.

Water Resources Minister M B Patil is learnt to have said that the government cannot go back on its commitment to implement Yettinahole as the work on the Rs 10,000-crore project had already begun. Siddaramaiah  intervened and said the government would take steps to revive the Paschima Vahini project.

The Paschima Vahini project proposes to supply water for both drinking and irrigation purposes to Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts by tapping 22 west-flowing rivers, including Nethravati, Sharavati, Chakra, Swarna and Kali. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 750 crore.

Social impact

Jayachandra said the Cabinet gave its nod for Social Impact Assessment study of Yettinahole project.

Ramanath Rai said he could not differ with the government stance. Representatives of various organisations agitating against the Yettinahole project would meet the chief minister and water resources minister.

The government would put forth its views and allay fears about the project, he added.
DH News Service