Karnataka bandh: Pro-Kannada outfits call for a bandh over Mahadayi water sharing row

Bengaluru is bracing up for a total shutdown on Thursday in response to a statewide bandh call given by pro-Kannada organisations over the Mahadayi river water sharing issue.

Pro-Kannada outfits have called for a 'Karnataka Bandh' today to press for the intervention of PM Narendra Modi in the Mahadayi water sharing row between the state and neighbouring Goa. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS) 

Karnataka has locked horns with Goa over the Mahadayi river sharing issue to supply water for Hubballi and Dharwad towns for drinking water through Kalasa-Banduri canal. IN PIC: State road buses parked at KSRTC Bus stand as bus services has been stopped. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

Karnataka is seeking release of 7.56 tmcft water by Goa from the Mahadayi river for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, being undertaken to improve the drinking water supply to Hubballi-Dharwad and districts of Belagavi and Gadag in the northern region. IN PIC: People stranded at Bengaluru International Airport. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

Recently, Goa CM Manohar Parrikar said he would go by the decision taken by the Mahadayi river water sharing tribunal. IN PIC: Kannada activists demanding a shop to close at cottenpet in Bengaluru on Bandh day. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

On December 27 last year, a bandh was observed in five north Karnataka districts over the same issue following a call by farmer groups. IN PIC: People wait for public transport. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

Vatal Nagaraj, leader of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha (KCVP), a pro-Kannada outfit, claimed that about 2,000 pro-Kannada outfits had backed the bandh call. IN PIC: A picture from Bengaluru International Airport. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

The Kannada film industry is also showing support for the bandh. IN PIC: A view of Bengaluru-Mysore highway on Bandh day. (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

Most private companies have granted a day’s leave to their employees, and those which have not have asked them to work from home to be on the safe side, fearing sporadic violence. IN PIC: Protests at Hubballi. (Hemanth | EPS)

Private as well as government schools and colleges in the city will also remain closed on Thursday, with some planning to compensate for the day’s loss on Saturday. (Hemanth | EPS)

Namma Metro will function as per normal schedule, provided there are no attacks on stations. (Hemanth | EPS)

Cab services such as Uber and Ola will function as usual. IN PIC: A view of the crowds in Hubballi. (Hemanth | EPS)

Another bandh has been called on February 4 when PM Narendra Modi has decided to visit the state to take part in the ‘Nav Karnataka Parivartan Yatra’ in Bengaluru. (Hemanth | EPS)