BENGALURU
To create awareness about the implementation of the Varada and Bedi river projects, an awareness conference will be held in Haveri district under the leadership of the Muttahdhees and public representatives. Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai said that the state government should call a meeting to clear up the confusion.
Commenting on the campaign being conducted in Uttara Kannada district to save the Western Ghats and oppose Varada-Bedti, he said,
The Varada-Bedti River linking project is not of today. It has been there since 1994. No new plans are being made. There is a difference between the plan then and the plan today. Now there will be no environmental damage or forest destruction. We are lifting less water from the Bedti River, there will be no loss of water. The state government should convince the people of the struggle led by Swamiji in that area.
Ready for discussion: Let water experts and environmental scientists be called to discuss this issue openly, and an amicable decision should be taken. We are facing a drought. If we store water during the rainy season, it will be beneficial for our side. This should not be seen emotionally. We need to plan so that no one is inconvenienced. The state government has agreed to do a DPR. After the DPR is done, the state government should call a meeting. No river is stagnant water. The Krishna River originates in Maharashtra and flows in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Not just Maharashtra. The Varada Bedi project needs to be done, we are ready for any kind of discussion. The confusion should be resolved through talks. For that, we will call a meeting in Haveri, including the Mathadhis and political leaders. We will also do it by creating public awareness, public opinion, and holding conferences, he said.