Karnataka bandh: Commuters left in the lurch as buses, autos support shutdown

Updated: Saturday, April 18, 2015, 11:54 [IST]

Bengaluru, April 18: The state-wide bandh in Karnataka on Saturday, April 18 caught many people off guard specially those who were travelling and were dependent on the state transport.

Many passengers were seen stranded at the Kempegowda Bus station in Majestic and Shivajinagar bus station as BMTC decided to participate in the bandh.

What's even worse is that buses plying from Tamil Nadu too were stopped at Hosur leaving the commuters to fend for themselves.

Auto rickshaws, buses and even taxis decided to stay off the road. BMTC officials said that they were not supporting the bandh. "It is only to prevent any risk for the passengers and buses being damaged," they said.

They said that they would assess the situation and then decide whether they would ply buses later in the day or not.

The bandh was called by pro-Kannada activists to protest against the Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery river. The bandh will be effective from 6 am to 6 pm.

Bengaluru City Police was seen assuring people that travel in the city was safe and even urged them that for any untoward incident they could dial 100.

Only emergency services like ambulances, taxis to airport were functioning. Petrol bunks, educational institutions and offices were shut for the day.