Mangaluru: The state government must stop Yettinahole flood waters diversion project and implement Karavali River Basins Authority (draft) bill, said retired dean of NITK Prof S G Mayya on Tuesday.

“This bill drafted by retired IAS officer V V Bhat aims at protecting the interests of west-flowing rivers,” Prof Mayya said while addressing a gathering during a talk with elected representatives. It was organised by Netravathy Rakshana Samyukta.

More than the immediate problems, it is the project’s long-term effects that is worrying. Yettinahole project would not have an adverse impact on rainfall but also on both the west and east flowing rivers, he said. “Eventually a Uttarkhand and Kashmir-like situation would be created in western ghats,” Prof Mayya warned.

Prof Mayya said that the the detailed project report (DPR) of Yettinahole Project contained hundreds of mistakes, some deliberate.