The Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Association has called for a one-day strike in Bengaluru on Monday after the transport department of the state failed to meet the federation’s demands within the August 31 deadline. Around 7-10 lakh private vehicles, including autorickshaws, taxis, corporate vehicles, airport taxis and buses, will be non-operational in Bengaluru today.
The federation, representing over 32,000 private carriers, are protesting against the Karnataka government’s Shakti scheme, which allows women to travel for free on non-premium government buses. The private carriers claim that the scheme has impacted their income, seeking to reimburse their losses from the government.
Meanwhile, auto rickshaw unions are demanding financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per month. The autorickshaw unions are also demanding a ban on illegal bike taxis, and establishment of an authority for the development of drivers.
Here are the details of the one-day strike
-
The Bengaluru traffic police has issued an advisory alerting commuters to use alternative roads and plan their travel accordingly. Commuters have been advised to avoid KG Road, Sheshadri Road, GT Road and Roads and Freedom Park and Majestic Bus stand.
-
The Kempegowda International Airport also issued an advisory urging passengers to plan their travel to and from the airport, as all modes of public transport will be impacted. The Bengaluru airport also requested passengers to follow the media releases from transport authorities for updates.
-
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that BMTC buses have been arranged for school going children and office goers. “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 as quoted by news agency ANI.
-
BMTC is operating an additional 500 buses comprising 4,000 trips from major bus stations such as Kempegowda Bus Stand, KR Marker and Shivajinagar Bus Stands to Kadugodi, Sarjapur, Attibele, Anekal, Bannerghatta/Jigani, Harohalli, Bidadi, Tavarekere, Nelamangala, Hesaraghatta, Doddabalapur, Devanahalli, Bagalur, Channasandra, Hoskote and Outer Circle.
-
Officials from the BMTC and Sarathi Patrol Forces have been deployed on major roads, bus stands and junctions in the city for traffic monitoring.
-
Emergency services will continue to be in operation during the strike, officials said. All emergency service-related vehicles like pharma vehicles and ambulances will be allowed to ply. Transport of food, grocery and other daily essentials will operate as usual.
-
While several schools declared a holiday for ‘Bengaluru Bandh’, many others have switched to online classes for a day. Some schools, with school buses as the sole mode of transport for their students, will remain operational. A few universities have also postponed their exams.