Bengaluru Bandh On September 26: Will KSRTC And BMTC Be Available?

Updated: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 8:07 [IST]

Bengaluru Bandh Today: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers Federation have expressed their support for the Bengaluru Bandh called by pro-Kannada groups, political organisations, and farmers' associations in protest of the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. This support is expected to disrupt KSRTC services on September 26.

Meanwhile, the Ola Uber drivers and owners association has announced their withdrawal of support from the Bengaluru Bandh scheduled for Tuesday.

Bengaluru Bandh On Sep 26: Will KSRTC And BMTC Be Available?

Due to severe drought conditions in over 195 taluks in the state and inadequate water in reservoirs, it is not feasible to release 5,000 cusecs of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu daily, as per a statement from the KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation. They have urged employees not to operate any buses in the city from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on September 26.

The statement from the KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation explained that the agitation in the Cauvery region has prompted the call for a Bengaluru Bandh on September 26. The federation fully supports this bandh and has called on all employees to make it successful by refraining from operating buses during the specified hours.

What's Closed and What's Open in Bengaluru on September 26:

Closed:

KSRTC buses
Shops, factories likely to be hit
Schools and colleges announced holiday
Movie theaters

Open:

Private cab services (Ola and Uber)
Restaurants and hotels
Namma Metro services without disruptions
Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus services will not be affected.
Emergency services, including ambulances, pharma vehicles, hospitals, and medical stores

The call for the Bandh on September 26 was initiated by the Karnataka Water Conservation Committee president, Kurubur Shanthakumar, and has garnered support from various sectors, including driver unions and restaurant associations. It is a protest against the Karnataka government's decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.