Former Supreme Court judges N. Santosh Hegde and V. Gopala Gowda and others spoke to mediators in Shivamogga on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Two former Supreme Court judges, doomsayers and politicians have teamed up with environmentalists to oppose the controversial Sharavati gas station project proposed in the central Western Ghats region.
They urged the state government to drop the project and also urged it not to propose any project in the Western Ghats.
Former Justices N. Santosh Hegde and V. Gopala Gowda, Kappathagudda Nandiveri Mutt seer Shivakumara Swami, Bangarumakki seer Maruthi Guruji, Basava Kendra seer Basava Marulasidda Swami, former MLA and president of Parisarakkagi Navu AT Ramaswamy, priest Harmaswamy, former legislator Harim Rosaappa Muslim leader Vahab Sab and others held here on Tuesday joint press conference.
Addressing the media, Mr. Hegde said the project was not designed to focus on public welfare.
“I am 86 years old. I took the trouble to travel to Shivamogga at this age because I was concerned about the impact of the project on the forests. We have a responsibility to hand over the Western Ghats to future generations,” he said.
The tunnel, planned as part of the project, would go 500 meters underground. The construction would lead to the removal of thousands of trees.
“When there are better alternatives to generate power, why does the government intend to implement this project? If we don’t stop this project, it will affect everyone in the coming days,” he noted.
Mr. Gopala Gowda said that he is not against development but it is everyone’s duty to oppose if the proposed development project harms the environment, flora and fauna.
“There are strict laws to protect the environment and wildlife. The project proponent — KPCL — is deceiving the public by spreading lies about the project. They are silent about the pollution that the hazardous blasting mud could cause. Energy Minister KJ George was negligent when he said the project would not cause any harm to nature,” he said.
Mr Ramaswamy said protecting the Western Ghats from development projects was essential for the benefit of future generations. “The Western Ghats are the hotspot of biodiversity and the source of major rivers in South India. If the core area of the Western Ghats is damaged, it will have a bad impact on the lives of the people of South India,” he said.
He further felt that the people in power who came up with the project are only looking at the upcoming elections and not the generations to come.
Maruthi Guruji of Bangaramakki said that the people opposing the project will not relent until the government issues a notification assuring the people that no project will be taken up in the Western Ghats.
“The proposed transfer reservoir project is one of many projects planned by the government. Many others have been planned, including the big project to divert Linganmakki water to Bengaluru. We have to oppose all of them,” he said.
Basava Marulasidda Swami of the Basava Kendra in Shivamogga suggested that the use of solar energy would be a better alternative to the proposed pumping project.
“The estimated cost of the project is over ₹ 10,420 crore. If the same amount was deposited in a bank, many houses could be equipped with solar devices on the basis of the interest amount only. The government should think on these lines, otherwise fortune tellers would come to the streets and oppose the project,” he said.
Environmentalists Akhilesh Chipli and BM Kumaraswamy and others were present at the press conference. The participants later met in the city to discuss future plans.
Published – 11 Nov 2025 21:03 IST
