Mangaluru: On the lack of clarity over Yettinahole project, the district administration is likely to hold an open discussion on the Yettinahole project in the district in the month of January, said State Minister U.T. Khader on Monday.

Speaking to the reporters in the city, the minister said that the work for the Yettinahole project has already begun. Earlier, the government had discussed the issue with few environmentalists in Bengaluru, he added.

Meanwhile, few reporters sought to know on when the government will hold discussion in the district, as the project is also connected to Dakshina Kannada. In response, U.T Khader said that he will talk to the district-in charge minister B. Ramanath Rai and hold the discussion, where the environmentalist, public representatives can take part, he added.

The minister also clarified that the Nethravathi River Diversion project is on standstill, after it was opposed by the public. The Yettinahole Project was approved in the assembly when D.V Sadananda Gowda was the chief minister. The tender was called then based on the line estimation report. MLA’s of the coastal region had opposed it, but in vain, he said.

Earlier, there was a talk on Vishwa Tuluvera Parba, where Yettinahole project was opposed and requested the government to cancel the project. B. Ramanath Rai had expressed helplessness as it was already approved in the assembly.

Mr. Khader, who is the district-in charge minister of Kolar – the district which will benefit from the Yettinahole Project said that the state government has to consider welfare of entire state, while planning a project. The Yettinahole project will help many district, which is facing water crisis, he said.