Cauvery protest: K’taka bandh fails to disrupt daily life in coastal districts

Team Udayavani, Sep 30, 2023, 8:31 AM IST

Despite the statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada organizations in protest of the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, coastal Karnataka remained untouched by disruptions, with life continuing as usual.

In Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) district, the bandh had no significant impact. The organizations in the region expressed moral support for the cause but refrained from staging protests or roadblocks. Schools, colleges, banks, government offices, and private businesses operated normally. Vehicular traffic, including buses, remained unaffected, and commercial activities proceeded as usual in shops, hotels, and stores.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses maintained their routes to Bangalore and Mysore during daytime hours, ensuring no disruption in inter-district travel. Traffic conditions returned to normal in the afternoon.

Additionally, there were three flight cancellations by Air Indigo out of the five flights scheduled from Mangalore to Bangalore due to the bandh.

While the rest of Karnataka experienced bandh-related disruptions, the coastal region stood apart from the protests. In response to the Cauvery water dispute, a protest organized by the District All College Student Union is scheduled for September 30 at 1 p.m. near Minividhana Soudha in Hampanakatte.

In Subrahmanya, a decrease in the number of devotees was noted due to the bandh. Nonetheless, government buses continued their regular operation. Although devotees from distant areas arrived in smaller numbers, the temple town experienced a somewhat reduced influx.

Udupi district, however, showed a disappointing response to the bandh call issued by pro-Kannada organizations. Traffic flow for buses and cars, as well as activities in schools and colleges, carried on without interruptions.

No protests, roadblocks, marches, or appeal submissions were reported. Police personnel were deployed for security purposes, but the city, service, and government bus services, along with auto and taxi operations, remained unaffected. Buses traveling to and from Bangalore continued their routes, with minor delays noted for morning departures. Crowds, traffic, and commercial activities in shops, street markets, malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, banks, and government offices were all as per usual, with no signs of a bandh.