Bengaluru is witnessing a complete shutdown today as farmer bodies, Karnataka organisations, and opposition parties called for a ‘bandh’ (shutdown) in the city to protest against the release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The ‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti’ – an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, announced the shutdown in Bengaluru from 6 am to 6 pm.

Meanwhile, a wider Bandh across Karnataka has also been called on Friday.

What is the Cauvery issue?

The Cauvery river water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has been going on for decades.

The issue escalated recently after an order from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking Karnataka to release 5000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

According to the Karnataka government, the lower rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area, including regions in Kerala, resulted in insufficient inflow into its reservoirs, so they are in no position to release the water.

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the water resources portfolio said that they only have one-third of the required water.

The issue intensified after the Supreme Court last week refused to interfere with the CWMA’s order, saying that the top court is ‘not inclined to entertain’ Tamil Nadu’s plea.

What is closed today?

All shops, street vendors, commercial outlets, and theatres will be closed today as part of the shutdown. Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services and private cabs including Ola, Uber are also likely to be affected, even though no official stoppage has been declared.

All educational institutions are will also be remain closed today.

What services will be open?

All emergency service-related including ambulances, pharma vehicles, and other important goods-carrying vehicles will be working. Hospitals, medical stores, and restaurants will also run as usual. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will be running metro services across the city as usual.

Pro-Kannada activists of the ‘Karnataka Rakshana Vedike‘ in Karnataka’s Ramanagara conducted a mock funeral of Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday morning as protests against releasing Cauvery water to neighboring state escalated.

A flower garland was also put on the picture of Stalin and a group of people raised slogans against the DMK chief. A few Tamil Nadu farmers also protested against Karnataka’s stand on Cauvery water and expressed their demand to release water to them.

A group of farmers protested by holding dead rats in their mouths at Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli.

Meanwhile, the pro-Kannada group, Kannada Chaluvali supported the call for a statewide bandh on Friday. ‘Everyone will support the bandh. We will protest in front of the Raj Bhavan. We will block national highways and airports. Buses, taxis and autos will support the bandh,’ the organizatoin said during a press conference on Monday.

Bengaluru police said that permission had not been granted for the bandh on Tuesday, explicitly prohibiting processions and rallies.

Section 144 was slated for enforcement from Monday midnight to Tuesday midnight and police issued a stern warning of strict action against any individuals involved in untoward incidents.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the protests will not be curtailed by the government and reiterated that they must be on the lines of law and order in the city.

Bengaluru Bandh Updates: No disruptions on any line of the Namma metro in Bengaluru

Almost all modes of transport are available on Tuesday in Bengaluru.

BMTC buses: All routes of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will be operational as usual as per an announcement by the city transport body on X, reported ANI. However, visuals showed buses with few passengers onboard leaving from the bus stands including the Majestic bus stop.

Earlier, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers Federation had extended its support for the bandh.

Namma Metro: Metro services are available for commuters in the city. There will be no disruptions on any line of the Namma metro in Bengaluru.

Ola/ Uber cab services: Taxi services will be available across the city after the Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association withdrew its support for the bandh. The organisation said it would rather be supporting the state-wide bandh on Friday.

‘We have decided to participate in the state-wide bandh and have withdrawn from the Bengaluru bandh as we cannot participate on both days,’ he said.

Auto services: Auto drivers are reportedly supporting the strike and are charging a lot more than usual.

Bengaluru bandh: Airlines issue travel advisories

Vistara Airlines, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air issued advisories cautioning disruption in transport and advised travellers to reach the airport early.

Several airlines have issued travel advisories to passengers travelling to and from Kempegowda International Airport in light of the bandh amid likely traffic congestions and shut down of hotels and restaurants in the city.

Vistara Airlines, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air have issued advisories cautioning about disruption in private transportation and advising travellers to reach Bengaluru Airport ahead of time.

Issuing an advisory on Monday night on X, formerly Twitter, Vistara Airlines said, ‘Due to the ‘Bengaluru Bandh’ on September 26, 2023, private transport might be disrupted. Customers travelling from Bangalore are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport. Thank you.’

IndiGo Airline warned travellers that travel time to the airport might take longer and advised them to arrive at least 2.5 hours prior for domestic and 3.5 years for international flights.

It said, ‘Travel time to #Bengaluru airport may take longer than normal due to Bandh declared in #Bengaluru. We recommend arriving at least 2.5 hrs before domestic and 3.5 hrs before international departures.’

SpiceJet also cautioned passengers and said they must ‘allow sufficient time for their journey.’

The airline said on X, ‘Due to the Bangalore Bandh declared on 26th September’23, local transport facilities may be affected. Passengers are advised to allow sufficient time for their journey and report at least 180 minutes prior to the departure time to avoid any last-minute hassle.’

Akasa Air said, ‘There may be an impact on public transport facilities for travel to and from the airport.’ It also asked the passengers travelling with Akasa Air to reach the Bengaluru Airport three hours prior to the departure.

‘To ensure a seamless experience, we recommend that you plan for extra travel time and reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to the departure of your Akasa Air flight. Please check your flight status here: https://bit.ly/qpfltsts.’

The airlines also provided an offer to passengers from Bengaluru of rebooking an alternate flight at no extra charges.

‘In case you choose not to travel to or from Bengaluru on 26 Sep 2023, you may request to be rebooked on an alternate, available flight at no additional cost, by calling our Akasa Care Centre on +91 9606 112131.’