Social assessment survey of the project is irrelevant: Association

The Sahyadri Sanchaya has criticised the State government’s move to conduct a social assessment survey of the Yettinahole project and has termed it irrelevant.

In a press release, the Sanchaya has stated that the government had made a wrong move by taking up the project in the first place, which was considered unscientific by scientists. Moreover, the statistics were tampered by the government and also the size of the project was increased by proposing to draw water even from the River Kumaradhara.

The association has strongly maintained that the survey on the social impact of the project would not address the problems. Instead, the government needs to conduct a study on the affects of the reduced flow of water on environment and on groundwater-level. The scientific study should also include the study on the affects on Western Ghats, the source of the rivers.

Need and supply
The water needed for the project, comprising five districts is only five to six TMC, while the amount of water planned to be drawn is 24 TMC. The Central government has been wrongly informed by the state government that the project is meant only for drinking water purpose.

The association has added that the protests in DK, Udupi and Sakaleshpur would be intensified if the government does not clarify the doubts regarding the project. Also, statements are being made on Paschima Vahini project, which includes diverting several west-flowing rivers by constructing check dams across the course of the rivers. The proposed project, will be detrimental to these rivers, the release said.

The Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district units of CPI have also stated in their press releases that the Yettinahole project lacks vision and scientific approach. The project will only create misunderstanding between the people of the coastal districts and plain region. The release also lamented that there was no opposition to the project when it was proposed in the Assembly.

There are many speculations over the successful implementation of the project. If so, the project would result in a loss of whopping Rs 13,000 crore to the exchequer, the press release issued by CPI district unit Secretary V Kukyan stated.

He has also urged the government to carry out a scientific study on the project and also to frame a permanent water policy to solve water problems in the State.