Yettinahole works: Neeravari Nigama accused of breaching promise

It had assured the green tribunal that status quo will be maintained

 Despite Karnataka Neeravari Nigama Limited assuring the National Green Tribunal, Chennai, that status quo will be maintained in relation to Yettinahole Diversion Project works till the next hearing on December 7, it is said that the works were continued at some places.

Malnad Janapara Horata Samiti that has spearheaded the agitation has expressed its anxiety over the same.

Samiti president H A Kishore Kumar, P Yathiraj of Tumakuru and retired IAS officer V V Bhat have lodged three different complaints with the National Green Tribunal, citing that the project would affect the flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.

The complaints state in unison that “The Yettinahole project is not a drinking water project, but an irrigation project. Hence, no objection certificate (NoC) issued to the project should be cancelled and the authorities concerned should be directed to get permission from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).”

‘Works to be stalled’

Advocate Naveen R Nath, who had represented the Nigama during the hearing held at the Tribunal on November 18, had given a letter stating that the works would be stalled till the next hearing.

But the works were under progress even after this at Kadamane, Mogali, Hebbasale and other places in the taluk, with pipes being laid, said Hebbasale Prakash Pinto of the Samiti.