Bhatkal Congress backs ‘Save Sharavathi’ movement, opposes pumped storage project

Bhatkal: The Bhatkal Block Congress Committee has expressed its support for the “Save Sharavathi” movement and reiterated its opposition to the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project on the Sharavathi river. The party also criticised what it termed as misleading information being circulated on social media regarding the project.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Congress office in Bhatkal, Honnavar Block Congress president Govinda Naik said the Sharavathi river serves as a lifeline for people in the region before eventually flowing into the Arabian Sea. He pointed out that several dams have already been constructed across the river for hydroelectric projects and the pumped storage project is another proposal under consideration.

Naik said the project was first proposed in 2006 and has since progressed through different stages under successive governments. According to him, it is now nearing the stage of implementation.

He said a citizens’ forum named “Sharavathi Ulisi Horata Samiti” (Save Sharavathi Struggle Committee) has been formed in Honnavar to oppose the project. The forum, he said, includes people from different communities and political backgrounds and has organised several meetings and protests on the issue. Congress workers have also taken part in these programmes.

Referring to a protest organised by the committee on March 10, he said the programme saw participation from Congress leaders from Bhatkal, Honnavar and Kumta. The event was led by Bharati Raghaveshwara Teertha Swamiji, Maruti Guruji and Pranavananda Swami. Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister and Bhatkal–Honnavar MLA Mankal S. Vaidya was also present.

Naik said the protest platform had invited leaders from different political parties, including the Congress, BJP and JD(S), with the aim of raising a collective voice on the issue.

He also rejected claims circulating on social media that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had announced the implementation of the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project during the Karavali Utsav held in Karwar. Naik said that Minister Mankal Vaidya, who attended the event, had clarified that no such statement was made by the Deputy Chief Minister.

According to him, certain individuals were circulating selective video clips and posts on social media to create confusion among the public.

Naik also said that protests organised independently by some individuals had seen limited participation. Referring to a padayatra reportedly held in Honnavar, he said only about 25 to 30 people had joined the march.

Appealing to the media to verify facts before publishing reports, he urged journalists to avoid sharing unverified information on the issue.

The press conference was presided over by Bhatkal Block Congress Committee president Venkatesh Naik. Block Congress general secretary Suresh Naik and several party leaders and workers from Honnavar and Manki were also present.