'Kolar-Chikkaballapur people should visit project site'

The Nethravathi Nadi Samrakshana Okkoota has appealed to the beneficiaries of Yettinahole project, from Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts, to visit Yettinahole project site to ascertain the availability of water.

In an open letter, Okkoota Convener Dr Niranjan Rai said “We are not against supplying water to the parched districts of Kolar and Chikkaballapura. The people of beneficiary districts should understand the loopholes in the DPR (detailed project report) of the project and its impact on Western Ghats. We do not have hope that project, if completed, will be able to quench the thirst of Kolar and Chikkaballapur.

“In the recently held interaction with the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd, when NITK former professor S G Mayya raised question over falsely quoted amount of rainfall in the project site, the officials failed to give any clarification on the same. By visiting the project site, one can know the actual availability of water. If the team from Chikkaballapura and Kolar districts are ready to visit the site, then the Okkoota will take the responsibility of making arrangements to take the team to the site.

“In the interest of the people of Kolar and Chikkaballapura, the government should solve the confusion over availability of water. By protecting the Western Ghats, there is a need to protect east-flowing rivers. The Okkoota is committed to work towards framing an alternative projects to supply water to Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts,” said the letter.

Dr Rai said that the coastal districts are already housing 12 mega hazardous industries in
the State and is supplying petroleum, plastic and electricity to the entire State. In the name of supplying water, if an attempt is made to harm the source of river Nethravathi, then coastal district will go dry. The residents of parched districts should review the project,” he appealed.