Statewide bandh to hit normal life
Planning to head out of home today? Better to make alternative arrangements as transport services may be hit due to Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations extending their support to the Mekedaatu balancing reservoir project. With no guarantee about public transport operating (though the BMTC and KSRTC have announced they would be plying normal services, there is no guarantee as the services may be withdrawn any time if there are incidents of violence).
Why Karnataka bandh
bandh to oppose the Mekedaatu project which had got mixed response. The pro-Kannada groups have now called for a Karnataka bandh to express support for the project. A huge rally is to be taken by pro-Kannada groups. It has been supported by various quarters including farmers’ associations, truck owners association, film industry and auto union etc. While CM Siddaramaiah has said that the government is not extending support to the bandh, he has asked the organisers to ensure it is peaceful.
What it’s about
‘Following a green signal by legal experts, the state government had decided to construct a balancing reservoir near Mekedaatu to supply potable water to Bengaluru and parts of Mysuru region. Around 22 points around Mekedaatu were recommended for constructing the anicut which is termed as ‘mini KRS’ with a storage capacity of around 48 TMC feet. The state contends that the project is only for supplying drinking water and not for irrigation and hence the objections are uncalled for. Around 2,500 acres of forest area is likely to be submerged as the government is planning to go for one or two reservoirs with equal storage capacity. Terming Tamil Nadu’s objection as unjustified, the Karnataka government claims that it will only store the excess water in the proposed reservoir while releasing the mandated 192 tmc ft of water to the lower riparian state Tamil Nadu. Giving fillip to the project, Siddaramaiah had allocated Rs 25 crore for preliminary work in his recent budget though the state is yet to approach the Centre or the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal for the permission.
WHERE IS MEKEDAATU?
Mekedaatu is located at about 110 kms from Kanakapura. It is close to Sangam (confluence of Cauvery and Arkavati rivers). Incidentally, this is also the last spot where the people can travel by road in Karnataka to watch the majestic flow of the river before it flows through the dense Eastern ghats and can be seen next at motorable road only at Biligundlu (in Tamil Nadu). There is also an interesting story behind Mekedaatu which in English translation means-goat's leap. It is said that a goat had leaped from one rock to another to escape from being caught by a carnivore. Since then, the place has come to be known as Mekedaatu.
Petrol bandh starts a day earlier
Bengalureans faced the heat of ‘bandh’ on Friday itself with several petrol bunks across city going dry! MG Road saw a traffic jam that extended for over a kilometre because of queues in front of petrol bunks, thanks to the flash protest called by the Petroleum Tankers Driver and Cleaner association at Devenagundi dispensation centre near Hoskote.
With no supply of petrol, diesel by the tankers, almost all petrol bunks across the IT city ran out of stock a day ahead of actual bandh. Following an accident at Dommsandra cross near Hoodi last week, the local villagers refused to allow petrol tankers to ply on the stretch. A few of the villagers even attacked tankers triggering panic among the drivers and cleaners. Demanding security and change of route, the tanker drivers refused to travel on the stretch and sat on protest since Thursday night. As a result, more than 500 petroleum tankers and close to 1000 LPG tankers refused to buy stock and resorted to flash protest. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, OH Range Gowda, Secretary of Devanagundi Petroleum Tankers Drivers, Cleaners welfare association said, “We have been asked to travel on Whitefield-Hoodi road in front of Saukhya hospital. However, after the accident it was very difficult to pass through the stretch due to locals’ opposition. Companies too refused to change the route. Hence, we staged protest.”
Police on high alert
Police are beefing up security. They will be out in full strength on Saturday, in addition to deploying 500 home guards and 500 KSISF personnel, they have also requisitioned for two companies of the Rapid Action Force. As many as 36 KSRP battalions and 30 CAR platoons have also been instructed to standby throughout the day.
“We suspect that certain anti-social elements and rowdy sheeters in sensitive areas may attempt to take advantage of the sensitivity of tomorrow’s situation, and have hence taken some people into preventive custody. All our personnel have been strictly instructed to report any kind of violence or attempts to breach peace immediately,” additional commissioner of police (law-and-order, west) Alok Kumar told Mirror.
All inspectors, assistant commissioners of police, and deputy commissioners of police will be on constant city rounds. Patrolling vehicles including Cheetah motorcycles and Hoysala vans will also be out in full swing, he said.
Sensitive areas like Kempegowda bus stand, city railway station, city market, Shivajinagar, Mysore Road, Satellite bus stand, Mysore Bank circle, Kamakshipalya, Malleswaram, Mahalakshmi Layout, and Magadi Road will be placed under extra scrutiny to prevent untoward incidents.
However, it was the motorists who had to face the problems. “I went in search of one bunk to another with literally no fuel available. Only a few petrol bunks were selling fuel but was very difficult to buy the fuel as there was literally a long queue. The worst part is that the fuel is unlikely to be available on Saturday. So, most of the people had planned to head out of the city before the bandh begins but they couldn’t do so because of lack of fuel,” said Rajesh Gowda, a techie.
LIKELY IMPACT
Schools: Schools are on vacation, so won’t be affected
Tuitions: Currently, tuitions are on for CET and CLAT. None of them has officially declared a holiday, attendance likely to be thin.
Bangalore University/VTU: Likely to be closed
Buses: BMTC and KSRTC have said that buses will ply as usual. However, they can be withdrawn at any moment, so be prepared
Petrol bunks: To be shut Milk and other essential supplies: Normal
Hotels: Will be closed. (In emergency, one can try out for canteens in hospitals which will be open)
Autos: Many autos will be off the roads; even if you find one, and then be prepared to pay a hefty fare
Taxis: Undecided (while one group has supported the bandh, the airport taxis say that they will take stock of the situation on Saturday)
Trains: To ply as usual
Metro: To ply as usual
Theatres: No film shows (They are permitted to open post 7 pm, however, theatre owners say that as the bandh is till 6 pm, they may not get any crowd for 7 pm, hence, it will be a no-show day)
Multiplexes/Malls: To be closed till evening
ATM: Banks are working and claim that ATMs may be open
Why Karnataka bandh
On March 28, Tamil Nadu had called for a
What it’s about
‘Following a green signal by legal experts, the state government had decided to construct a balancing reservoir near Mekedaatu to supply potable water to Bengaluru and parts of Mysuru region. Around 22 points around Mekedaatu were recommended for constructing the anicut which is termed as ‘mini KRS’ with a storage capacity of around 48 TMC feet. The state contends that the project is only for supplying drinking water and not for irrigation and hence the objections are uncalled for. Around 2,500 acres of forest area is likely to be submerged as the government is planning to go for one or two reservoirs with equal storage capacity. Terming Tamil Nadu’s objection as unjustified, the Karnataka government claims that it will only store the excess water in the proposed reservoir while releasing the mandated 192 tmc ft of water to the lower riparian state Tamil Nadu. Giving fillip to the project, Siddaramaiah had allocated Rs 25 crore for preliminary work in his recent budget though the state is yet to approach the Centre or the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal for the permission.
WHERE IS MEKEDAATU?
Mekedaatu is located at about 110 kms from Kanakapura. It is close to Sangam (confluence of Cauvery and Arkavati rivers). Incidentally, this is also the last spot where the people can travel by road in Karnataka to watch the majestic flow of the river before it flows through the dense Eastern ghats and can be seen next at motorable road only at Biligundlu (in Tamil Nadu). There is also an interesting story behind Mekedaatu which in English translation means-goat's leap. It is said that a goat had leaped from one rock to another to escape from being caught by a carnivore. Since then, the place has come to be known as Mekedaatu.
Petrol bandh starts a day earlier
Bengalureans faced the heat of ‘bandh’ on Friday itself with several petrol bunks across city going dry! MG Road saw a traffic jam that extended for over a kilometre because of queues in front of petrol bunks, thanks to the flash protest called by the Petroleum Tankers Driver and Cleaner association at Devenagundi dispensation centre near Hoskote.
With no supply of petrol, diesel by the tankers, almost all petrol bunks across the IT city ran out of stock a day ahead of actual bandh. Following an accident at Dommsandra cross near Hoodi last week, the local villagers refused to allow petrol tankers to ply on the stretch. A few of the villagers even attacked tankers triggering panic among the drivers and cleaners. Demanding security and change of route, the tanker drivers refused to travel on the stretch and sat on protest since Thursday night. As a result, more than 500 petroleum tankers and close to 1000 LPG tankers refused to buy stock and resorted to flash protest. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, OH Range Gowda, Secretary of Devanagundi Petroleum Tankers Drivers, Cleaners welfare association said, “We have been asked to travel on Whitefield-Hoodi road in front of Saukhya hospital. However, after the accident it was very difficult to pass through the stretch due to locals’ opposition. Companies too refused to change the route. Hence, we staged protest.”
Police on high alert
Police are beefing up security. They will be out in full strength on Saturday, in addition to deploying 500 home guards and 500 KSISF personnel, they have also requisitioned for two companies of the Rapid Action Force. As many as 36 KSRP battalions and 30 CAR platoons have also been instructed to standby throughout the day.
“We suspect that certain anti-social elements and rowdy sheeters in sensitive areas may attempt to take advantage of the sensitivity of tomorrow’s situation, and have hence taken some people into preventive custody. All our personnel have been strictly instructed to report any kind of violence or attempts to breach peace immediately,” additional commissioner of police (law-and-order, west) Alok Kumar told Mirror.
All inspectors, assistant commissioners of police, and deputy commissioners of police will be on constant city rounds. Patrolling vehicles including Cheetah motorcycles and Hoysala vans will also be out in full swing, he said.
Sensitive areas like Kempegowda bus stand, city railway station, city market, Shivajinagar, Mysore Road, Satellite bus stand, Mysore Bank circle, Kamakshipalya, Malleswaram, Mahalakshmi Layout, and Magadi Road will be placed under extra scrutiny to prevent untoward incidents.
However, it was the motorists who had to face the problems. “I went in search of one bunk to another with literally no fuel available. Only a few petrol bunks were selling fuel but was very difficult to buy the fuel as there was literally a long queue. The worst part is that the fuel is unlikely to be available on Saturday. So, most of the people had planned to head out of the city before the bandh begins but they couldn’t do so because of lack of fuel,” said Rajesh Gowda, a techie.
LIKELY IMPACT
Schools: Schools are on vacation, so won’t be affected
Tuitions: Currently, tuitions are on for CET and CLAT. None of them has officially declared a holiday, attendance likely to be thin.
Bangalore University/VTU: Likely to be closed
Buses: BMTC and KSRTC have said that buses will ply as usual. However, they can be withdrawn at any moment, so be prepared
Petrol bunks: To be shut Milk and other essential supplies: Normal
Hotels: Will be closed. (In emergency, one can try out for canteens in hospitals which will be open)
Autos: Many autos will be off the roads; even if you find one, and then be prepared to pay a hefty fare
Taxis: Undecided (while one group has supported the bandh, the airport taxis say that they will take stock of the situation on Saturday)
Trains: To ply as usual
Metro: To ply as usual
Theatres: No film shows (They are permitted to open post 7 pm, however, theatre owners say that as the bandh is till 6 pm, they may not get any crowd for 7 pm, hence, it will be a no-show day)
Multiplexes/Malls: To be closed till evening
ATM: Banks are working and claim that ATMs may be open
