TN suspends bus services to K’taka amid Cauvery protest; tight security at Hosur border

Chennai: Bus services from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka were temporarily suspended at the Hosur border on Sunday as a precautionary measure ahead of protests called by several Kannada organisations over the long-standing Cauvery water dispute.

The decision, taken as a preventive measure by the authorities, caused significant inconvenience to passengers travelling to Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka.

State transport buses operating from Tamil Nadu were stopped at the Hosur bus stand and were not allowed to proceed into Karnataka. However, buses travelling from Karnataka into Tamil Nadu continued to operate without interruption, allowing inbound passengers to complete their journeys normally.

The suspension forced many commuters to make alternate travel arrangements. Passengers travelling from Hosur towards Bengaluru first boarded local town buses to reach the Tamil Nadu border. From there, they hired autorickshaws to cross into Attibele in Karnataka before boarding buses or other transport services to continue their onward journey to Bengaluru.

The temporary disruption resulted in delays and additional travel expenses for many passengers. Despite the restrictions on bus movement, authorities allowed private cars, commercial vehicles and goods carriers to cross the inter-state border without any restrictions.

Vehicular traffic along the National Highway remained largely unaffected, although commuters reported increased police checks near the border.

A large contingent of police personnel was deployed at the Hosur-Attibele border and other sensitive locations to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the protests.

Security has been strengthened as a precautionary measure in view of the expected demonstrations by Kannada organisations.

The latest disruption comes against the backdrop of the decades-old Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which has periodically triggered tensions between the two neighbouring states.

The issue has once again gained prominence following Karnataka’s proposal to construct a balancing reservoir at Mekedatu across the Cauvery River.

Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the Mekedatu project, arguing that it could adversely affect the state’s rightful share of Cauvery waters and violate existing legal and tribunal arrangements governing water distribution.

Farmers’ organisations in Tamil Nadu have also repeatedly staged protests against the proposed project, expressing concern over its potential impact on irrigation and drinking water supplies.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with security remaining on high alert along the inter-state border to ensure that public order is maintained and essential services continue without further disruption.

IANS