Bengaluru-Mangaluru National Highway blocked by protesters near Solur

Traffic movement on Bengaluru -Mangaluru National Highway was disrupted near Solur as hundreds of farmers from Magadi area in Ramanagara district marched on the road seeking implementation of Hemavathy Express Link project, on June 5, 2025.
| Photo Credit: K Murali Kumar

Traffic movement on Bengaluru -Mangaluru National Highway was disrupted near Solur as hundreds of farmers of Magadi area in Ramanagara district took out a protest march seeking implementation of Hemavathy Express Link project.

Traffic movement on Bengaluru -Mangaluru National Highway was disrupted near Solur as hundreds of farmers from Magadi area in Ramanagara district marched on the road seeking implementation of Hemavathy Express Link project, on June 5, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
K Murali Kumar

The project that seeks to provide Hemavathy river water from near Gubbi in Tumakuru district is being opposed by farmers of Tumakuru who fear water shortage due to the project.

Congress legislator from Magadi H.C. Balakrishna led the protesters resulting in a pile-up of vehicles on the national highway as well as the service road.

The farmers are demanding early implementation of the project that will bring water to water-starved areas in Ramanagara district.

Police tried to convince the protesters to withdraw the protest. When they refused, they took the protesters, including Mr. Balakrishna, into custody to clear the road for movement of vehicles.