Mangaluru: The district-wide bundh called for by Netravathi Samrakshana Samyukta Vedike has bagged outstanding response across the district.

Mangaluru city wore deserted look from Thursday morning itself. Government and private buses remained off road while private vehicles were seen plying on the road.

People were seen stranded at various places due to non-availability of transport facilities. The bundh evoked good response even in border areas of Kerala-Karnataka.

However, hospitals, medicals, colleges, milk and paper stalls remained opened but most employees could not travel to their workplace as there were no means of trasnport.

Bundh witnessed outstanding response in places like Puttur, Vittal and Bantwal.

Meanwhile, some Right Wing activists who came out in support of the bundh ended up blocking National Highway at Nanthoor circle.

The activists were seen chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ at the junction.

The bundh has been called for as a mark of protest against the government’s stand of implementing Yettinahole project, which intends to feed water to parched districts of the state like Chikkaballapura, Kolar etc.

The project has evoked sharp criticism from coastal people, who are of the opinion that if implemented, the project will unleash havoc in coastal districts.

Mangaluru cycles for a cause

Alongside the bundh called for the cause of river Nethravathi, Mangaluru Bicycle Club grabbed attention by taking out peaceful cycle rally for the same cause.

As many as 100 cyclists participated in the rally, which they called ‘Save Netravathi-Save Life” that took place on Thursday morning in the city.

The ride started at 6 am from MCC premises at Lalbhag and culminated at Ullal confluence.

The total distance covered by the riders is 12 km.

The cyclists said that the ride intended to send a message that Yettinahole project will wreck River Nethravathi and that the project is not in the best interest of the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada.