Bengaluru Bandh Called Off After Karnataka Govt's Intervention

The Federation of Private Transport Associations has called off the Bengaluru 'Bandh' following assurances from the Karnataka government to fulfil their demands.

The private transport services, including cabs, taxis, and other private buses, had come to a standstill in the IT capital since last midnight. After Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy met the protesting drivers, the strike was called off around 2.30 pm.

So, the bandh which was expected to end at midnight, ended in the noon and the private bus and cabs have already hit the roads, said Nataraj Sharma, the president of the Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations.

The Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations had called for the bandh. Lakhs of private vehicles including autos, taxis, maxi cabs, goods vehicles and corporate buses would stay off the roads, officials of the Federation said. The Federation comprises a total of 32 private transport associations and most of the private transport services

As private maxi cabs are one of the main modes of transport for several school children, some schools in the city have declared a holiday today to avoid inconvenience to students

The Federation has called for bandh seeking a ban on bike taxis, and urging the government to extend the Shakti scheme -- that offers free bus rides to women on state-run transport buses -- to private buses as well, among other demands. The private transporters have claimed that they have been negatively impacted by the Shakti scheme and that the state government has not fulfilled their demands despite repeated discussions.