The ‘hole’ truth: Guv gets the runaroaund

By Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot was ushered through a two-day visit to Shivamogga by a coterie of watchful officials, who made sure that he experienced no bumps along the way – literally. The first citizen’s experience was markedly different from that of the common man, what with last-minute detours, potholes being hastily filled with stones and the Karnataka Power Corporation releasing water from Linganamakki Dam to ensure that the Governor got a good view of the Jog Falls.

None of this went down well with locals, especially the group of protestors who awaited the governor’s arrival on Holehonnur route, where the road is in abysmal condition. The protestors stood there, hoping to stop the VVIP convoy as it passed by – their plans fell flat when officials from the governor’s office heard about the road’s condition and decided on a last-minute detour. The motorcade turned around towards the Kairama-Sanyanikodamaggi and Holalur roads instead. A rough patch along their way was quickly taken care of by departments from the Public Works Department, who rushed to fill the potholes with broken stones. The governor, it seemed, remained blissfully unaware of the drama that had unfolded along the way, well-shielded by his protective entourage. District police even barricaded entry and exit points at Aratholalu Kaimara Road, to ensure no protestors turned up there.

Locals were left fuming but cops heaved a sigh of relief as the Governor’s convoy pulled up in Shivamogga at around 2.30 pm. Gehlot visited the Lion and Tiger Sanctuary at Tyavarekoppa. Later, he went to Jog falls and stayed overnight at Bombay Guest House. He returned to Bengaluru after attending the annual convocation of Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University, Shivamogga.