The reservoir built across river Sharavati at Linganamakki and other points in Sharavati valley caters to 25 per cent power needs of the State.

It may be  recalled Mohammed Ghouse and Asadullah, arrested on charges of their nexus with terrorist organisations, had revealed during police investigations that strategic locations in the State, including major reservoirs, were targeted. The Karnataka Power Corporation had restricted movement of tourists in and around Jog owing to security concerns during the monsoon itself. Entry of public into the premises of Sharavati project, Mahatma Gandhi power station, Gerusoppa power station and Linganamakki reservoir was prohibited due to Naxal menace in Shimoga, Chikmagalaur and Udupi districts.

Over 180 personnel are supervising security arrangements at the Sharavati Project area, which include 60 personnel of Karnataka Power Corporation, 20 from DAR and 85 from a private security agency.

Public entry near the reservoir and power generation stations has been banned.

It is impossible to patrol the entire Sharavati Project area as the backwater has spread over to Shimoga, Uttara Kannada  and Udupi districts.

As the National Highway 206 connecting Bangalore and Honnavar pass through the region, it is difficult to monitor the public movement.

Staff not sufficient

A senior KPC official, on condition of anonymity, said KPC is also in-charge of security of power generation station of Bhadra Reservoir Project.

Only seven security personnel have been deputed there, of whom six are from private agencies. More than 50 per cent of security guards in KPC are from private agencies who are not accountable for lapses, he said and stressed the need for increasing the number of security personnel.