Bharat Bandh Live Updates: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Other States Affected
As India gears up for the one day national strike called by the Central trade unions to protest against the labour reforms proposed by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, Bengaluru residents are in for some hard times on Wednesday, 2 September.
Even though several union leaders warned that essential services like transport and supply of power, gas and oil would be affected, Bharath Mazdoor Sangh has said that these services will not be affected as public sector workers are not participating in the nationwide strike.
Bengaluru too is gearing up to brace for the impact of the one-day nationwide strike.
While some private schools and colleges have announced a holiday, most government schools and colleges have not made any official announcement.
What Will Remain Closed
City Buses, Including School Bus Services Will be Affected - An estimated 6,500 buses operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will be affected. Daily office goers, school children and college students will have to look for other transport means. According to The Hindu, BMTC services in the city, including casual contract buses operated for schools and companies, will remain off road during the strike. BMTC buses will be off the road from 6am to 10pm.
Interstate Bus Services - The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses will be not ply from 6am till 6pm. The services will be resumed later in the evening.
Autorickshaws - Most autorickshaw unions have announced their support for the bandh.
Banks - Public sector banks, insurance companies and post offices will remain closed as the employees will be participating in the bandh called on by the 10 central trade unions protesting the "anti-labourer economic policies of the government."
Liquor Shops and Bars - Liquor shop and bar owners have said that they will remain closed on Wednesday till evening. Many of liquor shops and bars were closed early on Tuesday.
What Will Function
Private and Government Offices will function- Government offices are expected to remain open. Most private companies also will be functioning. IT employees claim that they have been advised to come early to office on Wednesday to avoid any incidence during the bandh.
Hospitals, Medical shops will be open - Essential medical facilities such as hospitals and medicals shops will remain open. The bandh will not affect ambulance services.
Private Taxis, including Ola and Uber will run services - Private taxi associations are not participating in the one-day nationwide strike. An official with Ola said that they will be running the services as usual on Wednesday, but would send an alert if the situation turns violent. "Uber will function as usual on Wednesday," a spokesperson told The Hindu.
Train services will not be affected - Regular trains services are expected to function as per schedule.
Bangalore Metro will function as usual: Senior BMRCL official told IBTimes India that its services will run as normal.
In the last nation wide strike on 30 April, the situation had turned violent in Bengaluru. The protesters had damaged 25 buses of the BMTC and eight buses of KSRTC. The situation turned calm by evening and autorickshaws and buses resumed service by night.
