Bengaluru bandh: After assurance from Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy that most of their demands would be fulfilled, the Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations called off the day-long strike in the city on Monday afternoon. Out of the 30 demands made by the Federation, the Minister said he has agreed to fulfill 27 barring those related to 'Shakti' scheme, monthly grants to auto drivers, and exemption of life tax on vehicles costing between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.
The Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations has called for a 'bandh' in Bengaluru today against the state government's Shakti scheme which offers free travel facilities to women on non-premium government buses. The federation consists of a total of 32 private transport associations, and it is expected that the majority of private transport services will not be available from midnight today until midnight on Monday.
Due to the strike lakhs of private vehicles including autos, taxis, maxi cabs, goods vehicles and corporate buses could stay off the roads, making commuting difficult for school students and office-goers, among others.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, "The Union is demanding Rs 1,000 crores as compensation. Some issues are in the High Court and Supreme Court...Things which I can solve, I have taken actions on that."
Seeking ban on bike taxis
The federation has called for a bandh seeking a ban on bike taxis and has requested the government to extend the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus rides to women on state-run transport buses, to private buses as well, along with other demands.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will run more bus trips and services in the city and also to Kempegowda International Airport on Monday to mitigate the inconvenience caused to the public by the bandh.
Traffic advisory for bandh
The Bengaluru Police has also issued a traffic advisory for the public to plan accordingly. “There might be disruption in the operation of taxis, maxi cabs, private buses and auto rickshaws. Therefore, all road users are advised to use alternative roads and plan their travel accordingly,” the advisory stated.
As per the advisory, the police have asked the public to avoid KG Road, Sheshadri Road, GT Road and roads around Freedom Park and Majestic Bus stand.
“Vehicle coming from RR Junction towards Khodays circle: move towards to Krishna floor mill and proceed towards Malleshwaram. Vehicles coming from Goodshed Road proceed towards G T Road via Sangolli Rayanna Circle to reach Okalipuram and proceed towards Sujatha Theatre. Vehicles coming from Ananda Rao Circle should move towards Old JDS office road and reach Sheshadripuram Road. Vehicles coming from Mysuru Bank circle, proceed towards Palace road towards Maharani junction underpass and go towards Basaveshwara circle,” the advisory mentioned.
Vistara airline issues advisory
Vistara airline has advised its customers travelling from Bengaluru tomorrow to allow more time for their journey to the airport as the private transport associations have called a bandh. "Due to the 'Bengaluru Bandh' on September 11, 2023, private transport might be disrupted. Customers travelling from Bangalore are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport," Vistara posted on social media platform X.
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