Chikkaballapur, 15 March

A bandh called in Chikkaballapur on Sunday over concerns that chemicals remain in the Hebbal–Nagawara (HN) Valley water supplied to the district received a partial response, with protesters demanding that the government ensure advanced purification of the water before it is released for use.

Protesters alleged that although the water is treated twice before being released into water bodies in the Chikkaballapura district, experts have pointed out that certain chemicals may still remain.

They demanded that the government subject the water to an additional tertiary treatment, an advanced stage of purification that removes residual chemicals, harmful substances and pathogens after the basic treatment process.

Most business establishments remained shut during the bandh. KSRTC buses operated in fewer numbers, while private vehicular movement, including auto-rickshaws and private buses, was largely off the roads. As it was a Sunday, government offices and financial institutions remained closed.

The bandh was called by a joint action committee comprising several organisations in the district. As part of the protest, activists took out a procession from Sidlagatta Circle to the Municipal Grounds, where a public meeting was held.

Speaking at the meeting, BJP leader A Sandeep Reddy alleged that the government had failed to take the issue seriously despite repeated concerns raised by experts about the presence of chemicals in the water.

He also claimed that recent findings suggested vegetables grown using the water could pose health risks. If the government failed to act, he warned, people of Chikkaballapura would intensify their agitation.

BJP MLA from Yelahanka SR Vishwanath, who joined the protest, said he would raise the issue with the concerned minister.