No KSRTC day services to Tamil Nadu today

No Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus will ply to Tamil Nadu during the day on Thursday in the backdrop of the bandh called in that State over the Cauvery issue. However, the night services will be operational.

K.S. Vishwanath, General Manager (Traffic), said, “The decision to not operate the day services has been taken in the interest of passengers. Services from Bengaluru and other divisions will be suspended between 6 a.m and 6 p.m.”

He said over 60 buses are operated to various destinations in Tamil Nadu during the day. The corporation will refund the money paid by passengers who have already purchased tickets online. “Alert messages on the cancellation will be sent to the passengers and the ticket amount will be refunded.”

The KSRTC will incur operational losses of ₹15 lakh to due to non-operation of buses.

On Wednesday, KSRTC did not operate a bus to Kodaikanal from Bengaluru citing security issues.

“The night service to Kodaikanal reaches the destination at 10 a.m. As a result, we decided to not operate the bus. Only four people had purchased tickets online and their money will be refunded,” said an official.

G.R. Shanmugappa, president, Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Association, said that 12,000 trucks from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu will remain off the roads during the day time. Private bus operators will operate night services, but will take a call on day service depending on the ground situation.

It is likely that out-station taxis from Bengaluru will also remain off the roads during the day.