A unified call for a nationwide strike on Monday, September 10 by all opposition parties on the issue of rising fuel prices is likely to be affect normal life in Bengaluru and the rest of Karnataka. Except Namma Metro, all forms of transport are going to take a massive hit. State-run transport corporations – BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, NEKRTC – are all likely to see workers observing the strike after multiple unions voiced their support to the bandh call. Auto rickshaws and app hailed cabs will also ply in very low numbers.
A senior BMTC official said that as of now, the senior management will try to persuade workers to carry out normal schedules. However, AITUC leader and General Secretary of BMTC Workers Federation claimed that all the workers are in favour of the strike.
Tanveer Pasha, President of the Ola, TaxiForSure and Uber Drivers' Association, said, “Our Association had discussed and decided a couple of days back to protest against this surging fuel charges in front of Town Hall. Now as Congress has called for Bharath Bandh, we are supporting Congress in this and we are going to have a protest as well on Monday at 10 am in front of Town Hall. There would be no taxi service from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday.”
Swamy, member of Autorickshaw Drivers Union said that the majority of the drivers are in favour of the bandh
Anticipating a total shutdown, some private schools had already declared Monday as a holiday while some institutions postponed exams. On Sunday, Bengaluru Urban DC Vijay Shankar declared holiday for all schools and colleges across Bengaluru.
The bandh called by the Congress has got support from its ally JD(S).
Earlier speaking to The Times of India, K Radhakrishna Holla, president, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association had said, “Increase in fuel prices has had a huge impact on the transport industry. But we can’t take a sudden decision without consulting all associations and MNC vendors.”