Normal life affected as autos, taxis stay off the roads in Bengaluru, other parts

BENGALURU: With private transporters participating in the Bengaluru bandh today, taxis and autorickshaws stayed off the roads in the city, though some of them were seen plying here and there. No cabs or autoswere available on the Ola and Uber apps too.

Attendance in many schools and college as private maxi cabs stayed off the road. Only in schools which have their own buses, normal attendance was seen. At some schools, parents were seen dropping off their wards by themselves.

Private buses also stayed off the road, forcing passengers to depend on BMTC buses. The BMTC had deployed more buses in view of the bandh. Police had also been deployed in large numbers to prevent any untoward incidents.

About 500 additional buses were deployed for the benefit of those arriving at the Kempegowda Internatioal Airport (KIA) in view of the bandh. On airport road, the protesting private transporters pelted stones at a taxi ferrying passengers.

The police detained some of the protesters for pelting stones at cabs and autos which were running near Town Hall. The protesters also forced those who were plying to stop at many places across the city and to support the bandh. At Majestic in the heart of the city, the railway station was empty with no autos or cabs. Those arriving had to make their own arrangements to reach their destination.

A cab driver who was plying his vehicle was hit with an egg near Hebbal.

Private transporters association state president Radhakrishna Holl said 80 per cent of transport vehicles were off the roads. With no commute available, many people turned to the Metro and BMTC buses to reach their destination. Namma Metro was running trains at 5-minute intervals even during non-peak hours today in view of the rush.

Private buses parked at the bus stand in Kalasipalya on Monday.

Meanwhile, private transporters in other districts too extended support to the Bengaluru bandh. In Chikkaballapur, private buses stayed off the roads across the district and the private bus stand was deserted.

In Kolar, only a few private buses were plying and those plying to Bengaluru had stopped. Services to Mulbagal, Srinivasapura, KGF, Malur and Bangarpet were also affected. In Karwar too, autos, tempos and taxis stopped plying in support of the bandh call.