Passengers travelling to Bengaluru were stranded at Hosur bus stand as TNSTC and KSRTC services were suspended for nearly three hours
Coimbatore : Interstate bus services between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were suspended for nearly three hours on Monday following a protest by pro-Kannada organisations near the state border over Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the proposed Mekedatu dam project.
The disruption left several passengers travelling towards Bengaluru stranded at the Hosur bus stand and caused considerable inconvenience to commuters.
Pro-Kannada Groups Protest at State Border
Members of various Kannada organisations, led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, gathered at Attibele, near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, around noon.
The protesters were opposing Tamil Nadu’s position on the proposed Mekedatu project and demanded that the Tamil Nadu government extend its support to the project.
TNSTC, KSRTC Services Suspended
As a precautionary measure following the protest, bus services operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) were suspended for approximately three hours.
The temporary suspension affected passengers travelling between the two states, particularly those heading towards Bengaluru.
“I had planned our journey to Bengaluru for an interview. As the services suddenly stopped, I returned home after a long wait at Hosur bus stand without knowing when bus services would resume,” said V Arthy, a passenger from Krishnagiri.
Bus Services Resume After Situation Normalises
Bus services resumed after the situation at the border returned to normal. However, the temporary suspension resulted in delays and inconvenience for commuters travelling between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The incident comes amid renewed tensions over the Mekedatu reservoir project, which has been a contentious issue between the two neighbouring states.
Karnataka Bandh Called for August 13
Meanwhile, Kannada organisations have announced a statewide bandh in Karnataka on August 13.
The organisations are demanding that the Tamil Nadu government support the proposed Mekedatu dam project.
The developments are expected to keep the Mekedatu issue in the spotlight, with the project remaining a major point of disagreement between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
