The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers Federation and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) extended support to the ‘Bengaluru Bandh’ call given by pro-Kannada outfits, political groups and farmers’ associations protesting the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
As a result, KSRTC and BMTC services are likely to be affected on September 26.
“Over 195 taluks in the state are facing drought due to lack of rain. The water in all the reservoirs in the state is not sufficient for use. The rain forecast is also not promising. In this situation, it is not possible to allow 5,000 cusecs of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu every day. Several political parties, pro-Kannada organisations and others across the state have already joined the struggle for justice,” a statement released by the KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation on Saturday read.
KSRTC called upon the employees urging them to not run any buses in the city from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on September 26.
“The agitation has increased in the Kaveri region. In this background, Bengaluru Bandh has been called on September 26, 2023. Our federation fully supports the bandh call. We call upon all the employees to make the bandh successful without running any buses from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in all the units of the BMTC. We believe that the bandh will be successful without any kind of incitement and threats,” the statement added.
What’s Closed, What’s Open in Bengaluru Tomorrow?
- KSRTC and BMTC buses – Both KSRTC and BMTC buses are likely to stay off the roads across the city on September 26.
- Private cab services – Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners Association President Tanveer Pasha extended support to the bandh and announced that the services will not be available in the city on September 26.
- Schools & Colleges – Private schools union general secretary Shashikumar said that they would support the ‘Bandh’ by sporting black bands on their arms. A decision on declaring a holiday in schools and colleges on September 26 is yet to be taken.
- Restaurants & Hotels – The hotel and restaurant associations have extended their support to the call for ‘Bandh’ and stated that their outlets would be shut across the city on September 26.
- Metro – Metro services will run across the city without any disruptions on any line on Tuesday.
- Emergency services – Ambulances, pharma vehicles and other essential goods-carrying vehicles will run as usual. Hospitals and medical stores will also remain open.
Farmers’ groups and pro-Kannada activists have called for a Bengaluru Bandh on September 26 to protest against the Karnataka government’s decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Driver unions, including those representing app-based auto-rickshaws and cabs, and restaurant associations have also announced their support to the ‘Bandh’.
The call for the ‘Bandh’ was initially given by the Karnataka Water Conservation Committee president, Kurubur Shanthakumar.