Kendrapada: The protest against the mega drinking water project over river Kharasrota in the district, spearheaded by environmental activist Srikant Nayak, got a short in arm when noted environmentalist Rajendra Singh extended his support to the cause.
Singh, also known as ‘Water Man of India’, met Srikant, who has been on hunger strike against the project for the last 15 days, in the district headquarters hospital here. Srikant was forcibly admitted to the hospital by police six days after his protest near Mahatma Gandhi Statue close to the residence of Kendrapada collector on August 15.
Speaking to media persons, Singh, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Water, said the project is against the interest of the people and the state government should give a fresh look into the issues raised by them. Stating that expressing opposition on any matter is the fundamental right of the people, he said the authorities should refrain from any coercive action against them.
Sharing the cause with Srikant, the Congress has alleged that the state government has submitted a fake Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the proposed project. The party also demanded a criminal case against the collector and SP of Kendrapada district.
Also Read: Kharasrota Drinking Water Project: Congresws Seeks Action Against Odisha Govt For Fake ESIA Report
The party on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Governor Ganeshi Lal seeking his intervention in the matter.
