Mangaluru: An all party delegation led by Dakshina Kannada District MP Nalin Kumar Kateel having met the Union Ministers seeking nullification of the Yettinahole project on December 17, former minister Vijay Kumar Shetty on Monday December 21, said that the meet is likely to bear fruits.

“During the meet, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar first asked if the people living on the banks of the river in question will be adversely affected. The Minister said that this factor will be considered primarily. He then asked if the project specifically intended at providing drinking water to the drought-hit areas. He also asked as to why there was opposition for the project. We explained everything in detail. We also met Cabinet Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti,” said retd NITK Prof. Mayya, who was a part of the delegation.

As per Part 7 of the Preamble of National Water Policy, entire money sanctioned for a project has to adequately used with maximum benefits to be ensured to the people living on a given river bank. The Yettinahole projects stands completely against this law and hence this project should ideally be shelved, Prof. Mayya informed.

Vijay Kumar Shetty said that one of the core members of the Regional Empowered Committee which holds a prominent role in the Yettinahole project, Yellappa Reddy has stated eight points against the project including wrong yield estimation and absence of the mention of disaster mitigation in case of a mishap.

Meanwhile, a Division Bench of the National Green Tribunal today further extended a stay order on the Yettinahole project till January 8.

Shetty said that this is an intermediate relief. However, fight against the project will continue until the project is quashed.