Mangalore, July 10: The Dakshina Kannada district unit of Janata Dal (Secular) has expressed opposition to Yettinahole project stating that it is just a pretext to divert Netravati waters.
Addressing media persons at a press meet JDS leader M G Hegde said that in spite of being aware that Mangalore struggled for water during summer, the authorities are looking to divert Netravati River water to other places. The move is unscientific and many experts have expressed opposition to it, he said.
The party will have no objections to the project if constant supply of water is made available for Dakshina Kannada district 365 days a year, Mr. Hegde said, while pointing out that the Thumbe vented dam project has also not seen completion.
Owing to incomplete construction work of Bejai Market, fish sellers and traders have been made to carry out their dealings on the street. No alternative arrangements have been made for them. The foundation stone laying ceremony was held five years ago and no work has been carried out from the past two and a half years. The iron which has gone into the project after heavy investments is catching rust. The incomplete work has also facilitated stranding of water which keeps posing malaria and dengue threats. The authorities must explain the stoppage of work and provide people with transparent facts of expenditure of the project and its completion, Mr. Hegde demanded.
‘BJP has reaped what it sowed’
Responding to a query on the internal conflict in the BJP and the caste politics being played with regard to the Chief Ministerial berth, M B Sadashiva, District President, JDS, said that the BJP has reaped what it sowed.
“Through Samajotsavas, they tried to create a Hindu vote bank saying caste is not important. We knew that this move of theirs will boomerang on them some day and today we are witnessing just that. Where is that Hindu unity now? Why has caste become important now?” Mr. Sadashiva said.
