In the wake of protests against Karnataka’s decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses bound for the neighbouring State have been halted in Hosur.
Falling in line with the directions of the Supreme Court, Karnataka began releasing water to TN from Saturday midnight, triggering massive protests in the neighbouring state by various Kannada groups and farmer’s outfits, including the Cauvery Hitarakshana Samithi (CHS).
While no data on the quantum of water released was available with the PWD in Mettur Dam, reports from Karnataka suggested that 5,000 cusecs were released on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the protests brought vehicular movement between the States to a grinding halt. TNSTC buses from various parts of TN could not enter Karnataka and, as a result, many of these vehicles were stopped at the Hosur bus-stand, leaving the passengers stranded. However, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses plied between Bangalore and Hosur. Many of those stranded at the Hosur bus stand took the KSRTC buses to Bangalore.
Capitalising on the situation, private taxis made good money, transporting passengers from Hosur to Bangalore. The protests also led to the suspension of bus services from Mettur to Karnataka. TNSTC sources said that as many as 14 buses that plied from Mettur to various destinations in Karnataka like M M Hills, Kolegal, Chamrajnagar and Mysore were cancelled. In Salem, stranded passengers were seen rushing to railway stations. A few private operators also cancelled their trips. The services would be resumed once the situation is normal, said officials.
Comments
0 comment