Mangaluru: Criticizing the indifferent stand adopted by people of Dakshina Kannada in the implementation of Mekedatu project by Karnataka, former Union Minister Janardhan Poojary, at a press meet, advised locals to support the project as it would provide drinking water for the parched districts.
The congress leader’s remarks came in the wake of the failure of the state wide bandh to have any effect in Mangaluru. Life, traffic and offices went on as usual, with the bandh call given by various organizations being brushed off by the local population
Liking Yettinahole project to the Mekedatu project, Poojary claimed construction of the balancing reservoir upstream of Mekedatu across the Cauvery river would facilitate drought ridden districts of the state to get water from the latter river in turn putting an end to the controversial Yettinahole project. “If Mekedatu is implemented, Bengaluru rural, Kolar and Chikkaballapur people would benefit and Yettinahole project can be dropped.”
He availed of this platform to vent his anger against his political rival, Member of Parliament Veerappa Moily. Poojary hit out saying a politician was pursuing the Yettinahole project for his political gain. He assured that, in no way, would the project, be realized. “The city of Mangaluru has been developing at such a rapid pace and diverting water from streams connecting to Netravati would make the river run dry, with dire consequences for the city’s population”, he added.
He advised the people of Dakshina Kannada, to support state’s initiative to implement Mekedatu. The people should holistically analyze before taking any decisions as the issue has many dimensions.