Bommai calls for public meeting over Varada-Bedti river-linking project

“We will convene a meeting in Haveri of religious leaders, politicians, community leaders and environmentalists to create awareness about the Varada-Bedti river-linking project,” BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday.

At the same time, the State government should call a similar meeting in Sirsi and other areas, he told reporters in Haveri.

“I think that the project will benefit Haveri and surrounding areas. The project is not new. It is under planning since 1994. But the current plans are different from the original plans. I do not believe that the new plans have any potential to damage environment,” he said.

“Compared to earlier plans, they include lifting lesser water from the Bedti river. There will be no water loss compared to the earlier plans. The State government should convince the people of the struggle in areas concerned ,” he said.

“The Varada-Bedti project has to be taken up and we are ready for any kind of discussion. Confusion should be resolved through talks. For that, we will call a meeting in Haveri, including the math heads and political leaders. We will also do it by creating public awareness, public opinion and holding conferences,” he said.

“Let us call water experts and environmental scientists to discuss this issue openly and take an amicable decision. Noth Karnataka districts are facing a drought. We should not look at this emotionally. We need to plan so that no one is inconvenienced,” he said.

“The State government has agreed to do a DPR for the project. Once it is done, let the State government call a meeting. This is how river water projects are done. The Krishna originates in Maharashtra and flows in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is not just for Maharashtra,” he said.