Udupi: Fight against fly ash, Seer supports

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 February 2011: Reacting to news reports on the sufferings of the villagers of Santhur and Mudirangadi due to the fly ash emanating from Udupi Power Company Ltd (UPCL), Pejawar mutt seer Vishvesha Thirtha Swami has expressed his solidarity with the people of the area. He has given a fervent call to the villagers to come out and protest against the issue.

 

The seer said he will join them in their protest against the company and the government. The seer, in a press release on Sunday said he was pained to know the plight of the people, especially of schoolkids going to school with their faces covered to protect themselves from the fly ash.

 

Contrary to the promises made by the company, the government and other authorities, the UPCL is going on dumping the fly ash that is proving harmful to the health of people and polluting water and environment in the surrounding villages. The seer asked if coal-based thermal projects like the UPCL are creating such severe problems to the local people, why should they function at all ?

 

The government should immediately consider abandoning coal-based thermal power projects and think of alternatives that cause less harm to people and environment. The seer wondered why political leaders of the area were keeping mum on the issue. The seer had earlier opposed the project that was formerly called Nagarjuna.

 

- TNN