Bengaluru, Sep 26 (IANS) A day-long shutdown across Karnataka on Saturday demanding early implementation of a canal project to supply river water to state’s parched districts disrupted normal life in many cities and towns.
“The shutdown was complete and peaceful, thanks to overwhelming support from the people across the state. We hope the central and state government will realise the urgency of getting water to the parched districts,” Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha president Vatal Nagaraj told reporters here.
The canal project involves building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of Mahadayi river to divert 7.6 tmc (thousand million cubic) feet of water to Malaprabha river for supplying it to the three northern districts of Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag, about 500 km from Bengaluru.
Absence of public and private transport and closure of shops, markets, hotels, restaurants, malls, petrol bunks and cinema theatres from dawn to dusk kept people at home till evening.
Thousands of passengers arriving in Bengaluru from outstations in trains and inter-state buses earlier in the day were stranded at railway stations and bus terminals, as taxis, auto and city buses kept off roads.
As a precautionary measure, government-run and private schools and colleges also remained closed, with many of them declaring holiday on Friday.
Even at the Bengaluru airport at Devanahalli, 40 km away from the city, hundreds of passengers were held up on arrival, as taxis did not operate.
Though the 12-hour shut down evoked mixed response in coastal, central and southern towns of the state, it was a complete success in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubbali-Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag, Ballari, Bagalkot and Vijapura, as evident from deserted roads and state highways, closure of shops and eateries.
In the state capital, air pollution was 75 percent less than on normal days or weekends, as diesel buses, trucks, cars and autos did not ply and private vehicle users found deserted roads a joy to ride without the usual gridlock.
About, 1,000 people, including women took part in a rally from Town Hall to Freedom Park in the city centre where a public meeting was held to explain the reason for the shutdown and how the parched districts were reeling under drought due to deficit monsoon this year.
Defending the shutdown, a second this month after trade unions observed a similar one on September 2 for other reasons, Nagaraj said it was necessary to highlight the plight of the people, especially farmers in the absence of water resources in the dry region.
Later, Nagaraj presented a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking early implementation of the water project to provide relief to the affected people.
Karnataka bandh demanding Kalasa-Banduri canal project begins
Bengaluru, (PTI): Normal life was affected in the IT city and other parts of
Karnataka today following a 12-hour statewide bandh called by several pro-Kannada outfits demanding implementation of Kalasa-Banduri canal project, over which state government has locked horns with neighbouring Goa.
With various public transport unions supporting the bandh, buses were not plying, while availability of auto rickshaws and taxis remained scarce.
People coming to the city from far of places were seen stranded at bus stands and railway stations following non-availability of buses to reach their destination. They even alleged taxis and auto rickshaws of over charging.
Incidents of ‘rail roko’ were reported at Mysuru, Hassan, Hubballi, Dharwad and Tumkuru stations.
Some private schools and colleges had declared holiday. Education Department has also declared holiday at several places.
Vatal Nagaraj, president of ‘Kannada Okkoota’, under whose leadership the bandh has been called said, “Calling for bandh was necessary to protect the interests of people of Karnataka.” Alleging MP’s across party lines failed to raise the issue in Parliament, he demanded their resignation.
The bandh was supported by several trade unions as well as Kannada film industry. A ‘massive’ protest march has been organised in the city as part of the bandh.
The Kalasa-Banduri Nala (diversion) project, which will utilise 7.56 tmcft of water from the inter-state Mahadayi river, is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.
It involves building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri, tributaries of Mahadayi river,to divert 7.56 TMC to Malaprabha river which supplies drinking water needs of the twin cities.
Protests are on by several organisations and farmers across districts of North Karnataka demanding implementation of Kalasa-Banduri project.
The protest has intensified since an all-party delegation lead by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi which turned out to be “inconclusive.”
As few senior Congress leaders expressed unhappiness about Prime Minister’s response to the all-party delegation, BJP accused it of “misleading” the public and said Modi was positive about getting peaceful settlement to the issue.
Adequate security measures were taken to ensure that no untoward incidents occur, Additional Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru West) Pratap Reddy had yesterday said.
About 4,500 officials and police personnel have been deployed in the city besides 63 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police and City Reserve Police Force.
Vaatala Naagaraaja is a failed politician who made a living out of agitation!! I can’t believe this character is still around!! Back in 90s, I remember a local daily in Mysore exposing his hypocrisy and pointed out how he was sending his own kids to English-medium schools in Mysore while shutting down all English medium schools back in his constituency (chamaraaja nagara?) I am opposed to these Bandhs. Those who call for bandh should be made to pay a minimum of Rs.50 crores for causing all the inconvenience and disruption.
Those who call for bandh should be made to pay a minimum of Rs.50 crores for causing all the inconvenience and disruption.- ಜಸ್ಟೀಸ್ ರಾಂಪಣ್ಣ All rise! ಜಸ್ಟೀಸ್ ರಾಂಪಣ್ಣ is presiding hereabouts and that too by sitting in Yumreeka. :). By the way, a few questions here: 1. How exactly did you arrive at the figure of Rs. 50 crores? 2. Does the same figure apply when it is Akhanda Bharatha Bundh? Or will it be multiplied times the no. of states… ..or will it be a genuine pre-estimate of loss to revenue etc? 3. And pyare sir’ji Rampaji, what would… Read more »
Vaatala Naagaraaja is a failed politician who made a living out of agitation!! – RampaNNA Why does that VERDICT remind me of a certain fellow called Advani? http://www.ndtv.com/blog/bjp-journeys-on-forgets-yatri-advani-1223172?pfrom=home-opinion At a government function on Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the late Deen Dayal Upadhyay, founder of the BJP’s former avatar the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, from the pantheon of those who built the party to the ranks of those who built India. The function to mark his 99th birth anniversary saw a bastion collapse. An RSS man was honoured at the Nehru Memorial. A few kilometres… Read more »
Joker Praveena Pinto,
Please note that this report is on Vataala Naagaraaja, not on Advani!! What a joker you are!! LOL
Please note that this report is on Vataala Naagaraaja, not on Advani!! What a joker you are!! LOL – Maha Joker Rampa
Maha Joker.. please LEARN how to read. Pl. dont MACK up stories like your PS does! 🙂
Original R.Pai – “Joker Praveena Pinto,
Please note that this report is on , not on Advani!! What a joker you are!! LOL”
Sir, presently Advani is the RSS’s own “Vataala Naagaraaja”!!! Why grudge the fact?