Karnataka bandh: India's tech hub comes to a halt during protest over sharing of Mahadayi river water

ANI photo

BENGALURU: Following a state-wide bandh called by Karnataka organisations on Thursday, January 25, a day before Republic day, several schools, colleges and offices were shut. Several IT giants such as Wipro and Infosys closed office. The bandh has severely impacted daily life. The 77km-long Mahadayi river, which flows through Karnataka and Goa, is at the centre of the issue. Since 2001, Karnataka has been asking Goa to release 7.6 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of the river water. The protesters are demanding centre's intervention into the Mahadayi water sharing issue. 

25 January 2018

13:25 PM

BJP National President Shri @AmitShah will address Parivartana Yatre today at 2:30 pm in Mysore, Karnataka. Watch LIVE at https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu pic.twitter.com/XZVb794ocx

— BJP (@BJP4India) January 25, 2018

12:05 PM

Another Bengaluru bandh has been called on February 4 also, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the poll-bound state to take part in 'Nav Karnataka Parivartan Yatra' of the state unit in the city.

12:05 PM

With state-run buses remaining off the road, passengers who had come to the city from outside were stranded at the main bus terminal here: PTI

10:55 AM

After Wipro, Infosys too declares a holiday for its employees.

10:55 AM

Protestors climb trucks to over Mahadayi water dispute. 

09:51 AM

 Gulbarga or Kalaburagi city faced no disruptions due to the bandh.

No effect of #KarnatakaBandh yet in Kalaburagi; bandh has been called over Mahadayi water dispute pic.twitter.com/Ulpw1LgL9A

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2018

09:49 AM

People rolling on floor as a mark of protest in Attibele, Bengaluru. 

#WATCH: Protest held in #Attibelle during bandh in Karnataka over Mahadayi water dispute pic.twitter.com/q3WSgtx5Xt

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2018

09:45 AM

State-wide bus services has been suspended  

#Visuals from Bengaluru: Bus services suspended after state-wide bandh called in #Karnataka over Mahadayi water dispute pic.twitter.com/dxTKIOGLWL

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2018

09:44 AM

Early visuals of Karnataka protest from Hubli

Karnataka bandh call over Mahadayi water dispute: Visuals of protest from Hubli. (earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/N7HtjEHAIu

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2018

09:43 AM

Most public transport services and taxis are expected to continue normal services. Bengaluru Metro train services will also be fully operational. However, autos will not operate.

09:41 AM

Most public transport services and taxis are expected to continue normal services. Bengaluru Metro train services will also be fully operational. However, autos will not operate.

09:41 AM

Essential services such as hospitals, medical shops, etc to will stay functional. 

09:40 AM

Malls, marketplaces, restaurants and bars, and multiplexes to remain closed in Bengaluru. 

09:36 AM

Several offices including IT giant Wipro are closed.

Wipro issued the following statement: "On account of the shutdown called by various organizations, as a precautionary measure, Wipro Limited has declared holiday for employees in Karnataka today. Business Continuity Plans have been invoked to avoid disruption to mission critical project."

09:34 AM

All government and private schools and colleges are shut.

To make up for the loss of the day, schools have been directed by deputy commissioner Bengaluru to work for a full-day either on February 3 or 10, both of which are Saturdays.

09:34 AM

Demanding Centre's intervention into the Mahadayi water sharing issue, the Confederation of Pro-Kannada Organisations called the state-wide bandh on January 25.