Bengaluru Bandh: Private Transporters Protest Against Shakti Scheme Amid High Security, Traffic Advisory Issued

Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations called for a day-long 'bandh' in Bengaluru against the Shakti scheme that provides women free travel on non-premium government buses.

The strike was declared in protest against the Karnataka government’s Shakti scheme that provides women free travel on non-premium government buses.

Source : PTI

Security has been beefed up across Bengaluru in view of a day-long 'bandh' called by the Federation of the Karnataka State Private Transport Associations on Monday to press for their various demands. The police has warned of strict action against those indulging in any kind of mischief. Lakhs of private vehicles including autos, taxis, maxi cabs, goods vehicles and corporate buses would stay off the roads due to the bandh, officials of the Federation said.

The Federation comprises a total of 32 private transport associations, and most of the private transport services are unlikely to be available till Monday midnight, as per PTI. Some schools in the city have declared a holiday today to avoid inconvenience to students, PTI reported citing sources. Those commuting to the airport would need to find alternative means as well.

The Bengaluru Airport Authority has also advised passengers to make necessary arrangements to reach the airport on time in view of bandh. Speaking on the bandh against the Karnataka government, State Minister Eshwar Khandre says, "Transport Minister is having a dialogue with the Union...I hope they will understand all the issues and it will be resolved immediately," as quoted by ANI. 

#WATCH | Karnataka: On 'Bengaluru Bandh' called by the Private Transport Association against the Karnataka government's Shakti Programme, State Minister Eshwar Khandre says, "Transport Minister is having a dialogue with the Union...I hope they will understand all the issues and… pic.twitter.com/yWDMLR6oBb

— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2023

Transporters Federeration Calls Bandh Against Shakti Scheme  

The strike was declared in protest against the Karnataka government’s Shakti scheme that provides women free travel on non-premium government buses. The private transport operators say that the scheme eats into their profit. 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.

Speaking to PTI, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that adequate security arrangements have been made across the city as a precautionary measure to tackle any untoward incident.

"All our officials including senior officers are on patrolling and we have also used sufficient number of tracking forces at all the strategic locations. We have also spoken to the associations who are participating in the strike. They would be assembling at Freedom Park where the protest will be held," he said.

"Whoever wants to stay away from the road can stay off but they cannot force anybody to stay off the road. We have given instructions and if anyone indulges in any kind of mischief, we will take strong action," he added.

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will run more bus trips and services in the city and also to Kempegowda International Airport today to mitigate the inconvenience caused to the public by the bandh.

“They’ve Right To Do So…”: Karnataka Transport Minister On Private Transport Strike

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Sunday reacted to the private transport strike and 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, as quoted by ANI. Reddy earlier held a meeting with the Commissioner of the Transport Department and senior police officials.

On September 11, officials were instructed to take action to ensure that there is no trouble for the general public and school children, as per ANI. 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.

Reddy recently said that the government was open to talks with the federation and is also making preparations to ensure that the inconvenience to the public is minimised.

Bengaluru Traffic Police Issues Traffic Advisory In View Of Bandh

Bengaluru traffic police has issued a traffic advisory in view of the Bandh. According to the traffic advisory, vehicles coming from RR junction towards Khodays circle have been suggested to move towards Krishna floor mill and proceed towards Malleshwaram while vehicles coming from Goodshed road have been suggested to proceed towards G T road via Sangolli Rayanna circle to reach Okalipuram and subsequenlty proceed towards Sujatha theatre.

"Vehicles coming from Ananda Rao circle should move towards old JDS office road and reach Sheshadripuram road and vehicles coming from Mysuru Bank circle, proceed towards Palace road towards Maharani junction underpass and go towards Basaveshwara circle," the advisory stated, as per PTI.

The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid KG road, Sheshadri road, GT road and roads around Freedom Park and Majestic bus stand. 

In the advisory, the traffic police has alerted the commuters about the likely disruption in operation of taxis, maxi cabs, private buses and auto rickshaws due to the bandh. "There might be disruption in operation of taxis, maxi cabs, private buses and auto rickshaws. Therefore, all road users are advised to use alternative roads and plan their travel accordingly," it said.