JD(S) workers demand water from Yagachi dam, block road

Close on the heels of the bandh observed by residents of Belur against release of water to Hassan city from Yagachi reservoir, JD(S) workers in the city staged a counter protest on Wednesday demanding release of water from Yagachi dam.

Hundreds of JD(S) workers, led by MLA H S Prakash, took out a protest march from NR Circle to the deputy commissioner’s office and raised slogans against District in-charge Minister A Manju.

When Deputy Commissioner V Chaitra did not arrive to receive the memorandum, the agitators resorted to ‘rasta roko’, blocking roads near NR Circle from 1 pm to 4.30 pm.

Traffic was disrupted on the stretch and vehicles were left stranded for hours causing inconvenience to the public. Traffic police made arrangements to divert vehicles on alternative routes. JD(S) workers refused to budge and continued with their protest till the DC arrived on the spot. The protest was withdrawn after the deputy commissioner arrived at NR Circle around 5 pm and received a memorandum from them.

MLA Prakash told reporters that the district was facing its worst drought and drinking water crisis in recent times. “As the inflow to Yagachi dam has reduced, water is not being supplied to 10 wards of the city. Borewells have dried up due to depleting groundwater,” he said.

As borewells in M Hosakoppalu, K Hosakoppalu, Doddabasavanahalli and Channapatna layouts have failed, water should be pumped from the water tank at Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board’s premises, he said.

He said engineers should be directed to release water from Yagachi and fill Haluvagilu pick up dam to solve the drinking water requirements of the city.

CMC President H S Anil Kumar and taluk JD(S) unit president S Dyavegowda were present.