Bengaluru protesters demand cancellation of river diversion plans

Hundreds of people rallied on October 10 against plans affecting the Bedti and Aghanashini rivers in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district.

The Bedti–Aghanashini Valley Conservation Committee organised the meeting. Participants called for the detailed project report process to be stopped and the proposed diversion plans abandoned.

Retired judge Santosh Hegde said the water needs of communities living along the rivers should be studied first. He argued that proceeding without that assessment would be unjust.

Legislator Bhimanna Naik said authorities should seek local residents’ views. He said the rivers already face water shortages when rainfall is inadequate, with areas such as Sirsi experiencing drought-like conditions.

Naik called for the report process to be suspended and an appropriate committee appointed. The Hindu and The New Indian Express reported the protest. Neither cited a government decision to cancel the project.