Massive rally in city tomorrow against Railway project

Mysuru: Thousands of protesters will raise their voice against the proposed Thalassery-Mysuru  Railway line via South Kodagu and a slew of unnecessary development projects in Kodagu at a rally in city tomorrow. People from Mysuru, Kodagu, Mandya and Bengaluru are expected to participate in the protest meet at Karnataka Exhibition Grounds. Before the protest meeting, a massive rally will be taken from the East Gate of the Mysore Palace near the Exhibition Grounds. Assembling starts at 9 am and the rally  begins at 9.45 am and proceeds towards Hardinge Circle, Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, return to Hardinge Circle and enter the Exhibition Grounds, said J.P. Aiyanna, Coordinator, ‘Kodagu Against Railway’ protest rally. At the Exhibition Grounds, the protesters will be addressed by environmental activists and green activists at around 11.30 am. Speakers will throw light on the bad effects of indiscriminate and mindless development works. Sources said that over 30 special buses carrying protesters are expected to come to city from Madikeri and surrounding areas. Organisers are also expecting farmers from the Cauvery belt of Srirangapatna, Mandya and Maddur. Several protesters are also coming to the rally from Bengaluru. Organisers have expressed  happiness over the Supreme Court verdict that has reduced the quantum of water to be released by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu from 192 to 177 TMC ft. “This verdict calls for further protection of River Cauvery and we need to stop destructive projects in Kodagu that will eventually lead to the drying up of Cauvery,” said Colonel (Retd.) C.P. Muthanna, the President of Coorg Wildlife Society.