Mangaluru: President of the Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha (KCVP) Vatal Nagaraj, who has been batting for the implementation of the Yettinahole project, said that he only wants to ensure drinking water to entire Karnataka while admitting that he does not know the pros and cons of the project.

He said that he understands the strong opposition for the project in the coastal belt of Karnataka and will convey this to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a personal meet within the next three days. He stressed on the need for a sitting of all party members, subject matter experts and environmentalists with the CM to discuss the project in detail and take necessary action. He asserted that the CM should take a decision with regards to the project while ensuring that the ecological balance is not upset.

Asked for explanation for reportedly calling the people of Dakshina Kannada ‘inhuman’ for not participating in the bundh called by his party opposing the Mahadayi project, Nagaraj said that he did not mean to hurt the sentiments of the people here but he was upset that this part of the state did not participate in the movement.

He added that he has immense respect for the people in Dakshina Kannada and that he only wants an overall developed Karnataka, after getting fairly grilled by the journalists during the press meet at Hotel Moti Mahal.

Meanwhile, a few environmentalists who protested outside the hotel for Nagaraj’s stand on the Yettinahole project were detained by the police.

Helmets to be burnt on Jan 16

Vatal Nagaraj informed that a bike riders’ convention has been called by KSVP on January 16 in Bengaluru during which helmets will be burnt opposing the new rule of the State government which mandates helmets to pillion riders in addition to the riders.

Terming the decision of the Supreme Court to pass the new rule inappropriate, he said that making helmets compulsory to pillion riders will literally drill a massive hole in the pockets of the lower middle class as they are the ones who travel by two-wheelers. He urged the government to withdraw the new rule.

Rubbishing claims that new rule will help reduce ghastly mishaps drastically, he said that even four-wheelers and bigger vehicles meet with accidents. He suggested that the government should rather leave it to the riders while propagating that wearing helmets will ensure biker travellers’ safety.