Hundreds of farmers blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Mandya district on Friday, demanding the immediate release of water from the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam. The protest caused severe traffic congestion on the busy national highway, with vehicles stranded for hours.
Farmers raise slogans against government
The agitators, mostly from Mandya and surrounding regions, raised slogans against the state government, Water Resources Minister, Cauvery Neeravari Nigam officials, and elected representatives of Mandya district. They accused the authorities of neglecting the irrigation needs of the region.
According to protest leaders, the KRS dam has sufficient water storage, but the government has not released it for farming. Farmers stated that their crops were withering due to lack of water, and they would continue the blockade until their demands were met.
Traffic disrupted for hours
The blockade began early in the morning and continued till late afternoon, forcing commuters to take alternative routes. Police were deployed to manage the situation, but no arrests were reported. Officials from the water resources department held talks with the protest leaders, but no immediate solution was reached.
A farmer leader said, "We have no other option but to protest. Our crops are dying, and the government is not listening to us. We demand immediate release of water from KRS dam."
Government response awaited
The state government has not issued an official statement on the protest. However, sources indicate that the water resources minister is likely to hold a meeting with officials to address the issue. The Cauvery Neeravari Nigam has been asked to assess the water levels in the dam and submit a report.
