BANGALORE: The Arkavathy-Kumudwathi River Rejuvenation Co-ordination Committee (AKRRC) has requested the state government to constitute a comprehensive planning committee for the rejuvenation of the Arkavathy river. Reacting to the state government’s decision to set up a new committee for the rejuvenation project that began in the month of May, representatives of AKRRC said on Thursday that civil society experts and local bodies must be made a part of the government’s new planning committee.AKRRC conducted an inspection of three out of the 16 lakes that come under the rejuvenation project. According to their report, only 30 to 40 per cent of the work has been completed. Speaking to media persons on Thursday, M R Seetharam, secretary, AKRRC, said that the reason behind such delayed progress was due to ‘unscientific’ planning and scattered activities of different local bodies.“What the AKRRC wants is a single authority that can be held responsible for the planning of the project and the rooting of funds,” he said.Citing previous examples of similar rejuvenation projects that failed, he said that the government needs to consult civil society experts working in the area. He also said the project execution should be handed over to locals who are familiar with the area.
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