Pune Bandh live updates: Auto drivers continue strike seeking ban on bike taxi services; parties plan rally from Deccan Gymkhana

As a precautionary method, schools such as Kothari National school, Kondhwa, The Orbis school, Mundhwa, Clara Global, Lexicon school declared a holiday. Among the schools that will remain pen are Arnold’sWadgaonsheri, Hutching’s Camp, Indus International and Seva Sadan. The colleges are likely to function regularly.

Autorickshaw drivers not part of the indefinite strike call given by the 17 auto unions in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad were seen quoting astronomical fares. There was a massive surge in the fares of cabs as well, adding to the commuters’ woes.

Traffic in areas around the RTO chowk, one of the busiest junctions in Pune, was thrown out of gear for almost five hours starting 4.30pm after a large number of autorickshaw drivers blocked a 2km stretch between College of Engineering Pune (CoEP) junction and Jehangir Hospital chowk as part of an indefinite strike from Monday for a ban on bike taxi services.

Leaders of the political parties said a rally was planned from Deccan Gymkhana to Lal Mahal Chowk on Tuesday morning. “We have urged the protestors to participate in the bandh peacefully,” said Prashant Jagtap, NCP’s city unit president.

Opposition parties such as NCP, Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray group) and Aam Aadmi Party and various other social outfits have announced a bandh on Tuesday to condemn the uncalled-for statements about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other social leaders.

The association of retail shopkeepers, including those selling milk, grocery and other essential items, has said the establishments will function till 10am and remain closed after that till 3pm. Shops of non-essential items like cloth will remain closed till 3pm.

In a letter to union home minister Amit Shah regarding recent controversies surrounding him, state governor B S Koshyari recounted, “You are aware that in 2016, when you were in Haldwani, I had publicly declared I would not contest the 2019 election and would stay away from active politics. However, at the insistence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and you, I accepted the post of governor of a big state like Maharashtra. ”