Interlinking of rivers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts to meet needs of the region were discussed at length at a day-long workshop organised by the Karnataka Coastal Development Authority here on Friday. While some at the workshop stressed the need for interlinking, others opposed such a move as it will affect the ecology of the region.

Delivering the keynote address at the workshop, Mr A.G. Kodgi, Chairman of the Taskforce for the Implementation of Recommendations of the Third Finance Commission Report, said interlinking of 13 rivers in these two districts through canals will help utilise the excess water flowing into the sea. The 300-km-long interlinking project can help meet the drinking water, irrigation and electricity needs of these two districts.

Though some trees could be removed during the construction of canal, steps should be initiated to plant more trees on the sides of the canal, he said.

For

Besides, the project will also help develop inland fisheries and tourism in the area.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor G.V. Joshi, Member of the Karnataka Planning Board, said the Najundappa Committee report, which studied the regional imbalances in Karnataka, also focused on issues related to coastal Karnataka. The report mentioned water scarcity, irrigation needs and power supply situation in the coastal districts.

Stating that the proposed interlinking of rivers focuses on these issues, he said such a project would help meet the needs of the coastal districts.

However, he said the roles of the Central and the State Governments and local bodies should be clearly planned while formulating such a project. The participation of private and public sector should also be clearly identified.

He said these measures are necessary when such a project is placed before the Planning Commission for its approval.

Mr Yogish Bhat, Deputy Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said such a mega project can only be taken up under the public-private partnership model. The technical and financial feasibility of such a project should be thoroughly studied before taking any decision on it, he said. The short-term, medium-term and long-term benefits of such a project should also be analysed, he said.

Against

Expressing concern about such a project, Professor S.G. Mayya of National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, said: “We are going forward without taking many issues into consideration.”

He suggested that the development of individual river basins can be considered in these districts. A mega river interlinking project would be costly and have an environmental impact. It is essential to answer questions on technical and economic viability of the project before taking any decision on this, he said.

Mr Nagaraj Shetty, Chairman of the Karnataka Coastal Development Authority, welcomed the gathering.

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