Nethravathi Diversion Project may pose a threat to rivers

The Nethravathi River Diversion Project, which the Karnataka Government had revived recently, is likely to be a threat to the rivers of Kasaragod as there is the possibility of them going dry. Several major rivers in the area are the tributaries of the Nethravathi River, the largest river in the region. The Karnataka Govt. had recently convened a meeting of legislators and Ministers from Dakshina Kannada on the issue. Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy had informed the legislators that a Hyderabad-based private company is now conducting a survey of the project which would be completed by June 2008.

 

The Govt. will release the remaining funds for the survey to the private company shortly. The government had already given Rs.2.57 crore to the company and the remaining amount of Rs. 4 crore will be released shortly. The project was mooted in 2003 with a view of providing drinking water to the upper regions of the state. Sources said that there was pressure from legislators of Kolar,Tumkur and Chitadurga district as these regions experience prolonged dry spell. If the Nethravathi river is to be diverted through these regions, it would be able to provide drinking water to the parched regions.

 

(The New Indian Express, 29^th June 2007)