Haveri: MP Basavaraj Bommai said that a public awareness meeting will be organised in Haveri district, under the leadership of religious heads and people’s representatives, by bringing people together to create awareness about the implementation of the Varada–Bedti river linking project.Responding to questions from mediapersons in Haveri about campaigns being carried out in Uttara Kannada district opposing the Varada–Bedti project in the name of protecting the Western Ghats, Bommai said the Varada–Bedti river linking project was not a new one and existed since 1994. No new project was being proposed now. There was a difference between the earlier plan and the present one. Under the current plan, there will be no environmental damage or destruction of forests. Only a small quantity of water will be lifted from the Bedti River and there would be no loss of water. He said the state govt should explain these facts to the ongoing protests being led by religious heads in that region. “The state govt must convene a meeting to clear the prevailing confusion,” he demanded.He said they were prepared for open discussions on this issue by inviting water experts and environmental scientists, and that an amicable decision should be taken. Bommai added that the state govt already gave its consent to prepare a DPR (detailed project report). Once the DPR is prepared, the state govt should convene a meeting. No river belongs to just 1 region; rivers are not stagnant water bodies. The Krishna River originates in Maharashtra and flows through Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka—it does not belong only to Maharashtra. Similarly, the Varada–Bedti project must be implemented. “We are ready for any kind of discussion. The confusion must be resolved through dialogue. For that purpose, we will convene a meeting in Haveri involving religious heads and political leaders. We will also create public awareness and gather public opinion,” he said.
