Bangalore bandh Highlights: Strike called off after Karnataka govt intervention

The federation of private transport associations have called off the ‘Bangalore Bandh’ after Karnataka government assured to fulfil their promises. From the morning, the private transport system was halted as cabs, taxis and other private buses stopped operating across the IT capital.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that it is not practically possible to meet the demands of transport unions. Speaking about the Bangalore bandh, CM Siddaramaiah said, “The transport unions are asking to extend the Shakti scheme to them and compensate for loses. It is not practically possible to give them money. We will fulfill whatever is possible and there is no going back on it."

Karnataka minister Eshwar Khandre said that the governement is already in touch with the private transport unions and their issues will be addressed. He said, “Transport Minister is having talks with the unions and I hope they will understand the issues. Their problems will be resolved immediately.” 

Amid Bengaluru bandh on Monday, former cricketer and Indian captain Anil Kumble took the BMTC bus while on his way back to home from Bengaluru airport. Kumble took to X and wrote, “BMTC trip back home today from the airport.” 

The BMTC has already deployed extra bus services from and to Bengaluru airport as private cabs announced the strike. Fans were surprised to see the cricket legend on board in the bus. 

Former CM and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy slammed the Congress led Karnataka government and said that they did not implement the guarantees with a proper plan. He alleged that the bandh is result of a misgovernance in the state. 

He said, “While implementing the guarantee schemes, it is a basic thing to ensure that the others are not affected. The cab and auto drivers are left at the back seat and today the government has created uncertainty in their profession. The government should serve them the justice.” 

A few miscreants were found bashing the windows of a cab for plying on the strike day. A video went viral where a cab with yellow number plate was seen attacked by a group people, completely damaging it. 

Bengaluru police advised the commuters and taxi owners to dial 112 and seek for police help on the bandh day. In a few areas, protesters attacked the cabs which are running on Monday and police said that FIR will be registered against such offenses. 

“Request public to dail 112 if anyone faces any harrasement or forcefully stops the vehicle. Protest must go on peacefully and there is no place for any kind of violance,” said Bengaluru police. 

The transport minister instructed the officials to ply government buses on the routes to schools and colleges in Bengaluru. He also directed that more buses should be arranged near hospitals so that patients do not face any problems.

More than 500 extra buses or on road and roughly 4,000 services will be operated by the BMTC on Monday. Extra buses to airport are also added for the passengers who have scheduled flights.

According to local media reports, a few private cabs are still operating on the bandh day. As there is lot of demand for the cab services in demand, a few drivers who is not participating in the protest are operating cabs in the city. 

A few incidents of protesters stopping the yellow board taxis were reported in some areas. However, police warned the protesters to stay away from such activities. 

Bengaluru police asked the protesters not to stop any vehicles on bandh day. A few incidents of cab vandalisations were reported on Monday and police warned strict action against such activities. 

“We warned protesters not to stop any vehicles. The protests must go on peacefully and any kind of vandalisations will lead to FIRs. High security is deployed across Bengaluru and people are requested to dail 112 for any emergency police help.” 

The transport unions began the protests across Bengaluru on Monday and stopped a few private cabs which are running even after announcing a bandh. According to local media, a few protesters have also attacked cabs and destroyed them after they were found operating on a bandh day.

Amid the bandh across Bengaluru, the Bengaluru Metropolitian Transportaion Corporation (BMTC) is set to run 4,000 bus services on Monday. A total of 500 extra buses are already deployed to meet the demand as taxis, maxis, private buses and autos will be on a strike. 

Speaking to reporters, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “I have directed the officials to make arrangements so that nobody will be troubled. All the emergency services will be available.” 

Security has been also been stepped up across the city including at major bus stations on the strike day. Security is deployed at important places including Shantinagar, Maurya Circle, Koramangala, Freedom Park, Shivananda Circle, Kalasipalya, Peenya, Mysore Road Satellite Bus Stand, Hebbal, Yelahanka, KR Pura and Kengeri.

“Appropriate security measures will be taken to prevent any untoward incident. Police security including KSRP, CAR will be deployed,” said Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda.

The private transport vehicles are the lifeline of Bengaluru commuting system especially on a working day. According to the union leader S Nataraj Sharma, About 7 lakhs to one million vehicles including autos, taxis, airport taxis, maxi cabs, goods vehicles, school vehicles, also stage carriages, contract carriages and corporate buses, are set to go off the road today

The private transporters have claimed that they have been negatively impacted by the Shakti scheme, the free bus travel for women and that the state government has not fulfilled their demands despite repeated discussions.

In the previous meeting with the transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, the unions have submitted a list of 30 demands and Reddy assured that 28 out of them will be fulfilled. 

The major demand is to include the private buses in the Shakti scheme and compensate the private bus owners to bear the loses. The federation had also urged the state government for a total ban on app-based aggregators, financial assistance of ₹10,000 for each driver, loans with low-interest rates, a ban on bike taxis, among other demands.

As a day long bandh will be observed in Bengaluru, the airport authorities advised the passengers to make their own arrangements to reach the airport on time. Various other airlines have also alerted the passengers about the strike and asked their customers to start a bit early to reach on time. 

However, BMTC's Vayu Vajra buses will be available from all parts of the city to the Bengaluru airport. BMTC will also be adding extra bus services to the airport to meet the demand as cabs and taxis will not be plying today. 

Vistara airline on Sunday adviced 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.

ANI

After private vehicle owners and drivers called for a strike in Bengaluru, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Sunday said that they have the right to do so.

He assured that Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses have been arranged to avoid any inconvenience to the public.

"We have arranged BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) buses for school-going children, office-going people and for those who're going to hospitals. BMTC has arranged around 500 extra buses. Nothing will happen. They (private transport) are going for a strike, let them, they have the right to do so,” Reddy said.

ANI

What's closed?

1. All private airport taxis
2. Ola, Uber and other cabs
3. Autorickshaws
4. Private buses

What's open?

1. Emergency services
2. Food and delivery vehicles
3. Public transport

Read More

The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations in Bengaluru has announced a ‘bandh’ on Monday.

• This strike is expected to disrupt transport services, causing inconvenience to many commuters. 
• As a result of this bandh, some schools have already declared a holiday for Monday, according to official sources cited by the news agency PTI.
• Public transport services, including BMTC buses and metro trains, will operate without any disruptions.
• But private-based transport services such as airport taxis, Ola, Uber, other cab services, autorickshaws, and private buses, will not be available on Monday.

Bengaluru bandh LIVE updates: 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. 

• Employees of the BMTC and the KSRTC have also been asked not to take leave on Monday.
• Security has been also been stepped up across the city including major bus stations ahead of the banch. 
• Security has been deployed at important places including Shantinagar, Maurya Circle, Koramangala, Freedom Park, Shivananda Circle, Kalasipalya, Peenya, Mysore Road Satellite Bus Stand, Hebbal, Yelahanka, KR Pura and Kengeri.

Bengaluru bandh LIVE Updates: A federation of 32 private transport unions, including auto rickshaws, buses and taxis have a called a bandh on Monday in Bengaluru. This comes after the state transport department failed to fulfil their 28 demands by August 31.

• 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.
• Earlier, transport unions had held discussions with state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy on July 24, just three days before they initially scheduled a protest for July 27. At that time, Reddy had assured them that 28 out of their 30 demands would be met by the end of August.
• However, the Reddy had then said that he will take it to the notice of the chief minister and discuss the issues with him. After not hearing back from the government, the associations decided to go on a strike for a day on September 11.

Bengaluru bandh LIVE Updates: The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations in Bengaluru has announced a ‘bandh’ scheduled to start from midnight on Sunday and continue until midnight on Monday.

• This strike is expected to disrupt transport services, causing inconvenience to many commuters.
• As a result of this bandh, some schools have already declared a holiday for Monday, according to official sources cited by the news agency PTI.
• Emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances and pharmaceutical transport, along with essential goods carriers, will remain operational without interruption.
• Food, grocery, and other daily essential transportation services will also continue to function as usual.