Advisory Update – Karnataka Bandh

The Likely Impact of Karnataka Bandh

• The entire state will likely bear the impact as the organizations involved called for
  “Sampooran Karnataka Bandh”.
• The schools and colleges will likely remain closed, but stakeholders are advised to wait for official circulars. According to the reports, Bangalore University also postponed the
  convocation scheduled for Friday, September 29th, due to the Bandh call. Schools and
  colleges remained shut after the government declared a holiday on September 26th.
• The Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners’ Association in Bengaluru initially supported the
  Bengaluru Bandh but withdrew its support at the last moment owing to the disagreement
  between the two factions of pro-Kannada groups. The association extended their support to the group led by Vatal Nagaraj, likely impacting the app-based transport services across the state.
• Metro services in Bengaluru will be available except between Mysore Road and Kangeri
  Stations for scheduled inspections.
• The protest organizers indicated the blockage of roads and the national highways and
  shutting down toll plazas impacting travel across the state.
• Bus services are likely to be affected across the state. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers Federation has extended support to the Karnataka Bandh. However, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses were operating on September 26th and will likely be plying on September 29th.
• The protest will likely impact the airport and rail services. The protesting groups have
  threatened to shut down rail and airport services. Business travellers are advised to review their travel plans. The Akasa and Spice Jet have already issued an advisory for its passengers regarding public transport services.
• The hotel and restaurants association also extended support to the Karnataka Bandh.
• The work at tech companies and businesses in other sectors will also be impacted due to Bandh. The companies initiated work from home on September 26th and will consider a similar work plan during Karnataka Bandh.
• The emergency services, including hospitals and medical emergency services, will likely be operating. Police, Fire and ambulance services will continue to attend to the urgent situations.

• The security in the state is likely to be beefed up. A hundred platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed during the September 26th Bandh; the additional companies are likely to be deployed to maintain law and order in the state. Section 144 is likely to be imposed in various places. Security has also been beefed up in the Tamil populated areas since September 26th to negate any possibilities of violence between the communities. The general public is advised to exercise caution while leaving their homes and refer to local sources for information.
• The Bandh is likely to be observed in totality; therefore, businesses can consider the work-from-home option for their employees and maintain business continuity.
• Business travellers are advised to review their travel plans as the airline and rail services will operate, but the airport services are likely to be impacted at Kempegowda International Airport and the regional airports across the state. Airports are likely to be blocked by the protesters.