Scrap Bedti–Aghanashini project, say protesters

A protest meeting in Bengaluru on Saturday called for the cancellation of river diversion projects in Uttara Kannada, specifically targeting the Bedti and Aghanashini rivers. Hundreds of residents from Uttara Kannada, living in Bengaluru, participated in the demonstration led by the Bedti-Aghanashini Valley Conservation Committee.

Prominent personalities, including retired Justice Santosh Hegde, MLA Bhimanna Naik, and environmental activist Yellappa Reddy, among others, joined the protest to demand the immediate cancellation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) process. Retired Justice Hegde emphasized the need for a thorough assessment of water requirements before proceeding with the project, warning that proceeding without such an assessment would be a grave injustice.

MLA Naik further pointed out that the Centre and State governments should have sought the views of local residents before implementing the project or taking it to the DPR stage, highlighting the existing water shortages in the region during periods of inadequate rainfall.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.