JOIN USThe bandh call given by Nagarika Samiti on Saturday in the district in protest against supplying water from Yagachi reservoir to Hemavathi reservoir in Hassan district to cater to drinking water requirements of the neighbouring district is likely to affect normal life.
The Samiti members, who held a meeting under the chairmanship of MLA C T Ravi at travellers’ bungalow here, gave a call to observe bandh in a peaceful way from 6 am to 4 pm.
The schools and colleges should remain closed along with various other business establishments, except essential services, to send a strong message to the government, the activists said. It was also decided to request KSRTC officials to suspend bus services to other districts.
Defending bandh call, the activists said that when the district is facing acute water shortage in the wake of deficient rain leading to drought and dried-up water sources, the decision to supply water to Hassan district is not right. Yagachi is the source of drinking water to most of wards in the city.
Ironically, the water level at Yagachi too is fast depleting, yet it is also required to take care of drinking water needs of Belur and 17 villages in Arsikere taluk in Hassan district. It has been decided to supply 400 cusecs of water at the rate of 20 cusecs per day to Hassan district, they said.
He also disputed reports that available water is sufficient to take care of drinking water needs of both Chikkamagaluru district and Belur and Arsikere in Hassan district till August 9.