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Bengaluru Bandh: Bangloreans are facing a difficult time on Tuesday, September 26 as a statewide shutdown is being observed across Karnataka against releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. As more than 175 organisations have extended their support for the Bengaluru bandh called by various farmers’ and pro-Kannada organisations. “We will come in a protest to Bengaluru’s Freedom Park and stage a demonstration there with our demands. The state government, the chief minister, will have to receive our memorandum. If there is no proper response to our protest from the government, we will decide on our further course of action”, said Farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar. Besides, another shutdown has been called this week on Friday. The call for a Karnataka bandh on September 29 was issued by ‘Kannada Okkuta,’ led by the prominent Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj. This announcement came shortly after the ‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti’ had called for a shutdown in Bengaluru on the same Tuesday.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) on Tuesday directed the Karnataka government to release at least 3,000 cusecs of water. They have been directed to start the release of water from September 28 so that the people of Tamil Nadu can avoid facing an acute shortage of water.
Commuters travelling to and from Bengaluru International Airport also tweeted their concerns about the lack of vehicles and taxis on the road due to the bandh call today.
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1706577895517454793
Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar says, "The Cauvery Water Management Committee meeting is going on and the people of Tamil Nadu have demanded 12,500 cusecs of water. At present, we are in a situation where we cannot even release 5,000 cusecs of water. We will not release that much water because we don't have"
On 'Bengaluru bandh', Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "Any bandh can be called, we have no objection to that. Though there is SC verdict, but we won't disturb them, let them call the bandh."
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1706487966519132339
Bus services from Tamil Nadu towards Karnataka are disrupted amid a 'bandh' called in Bengaluru regarding the Cauvery water issue. Several buses from Tamil Nadu are being stopped at Zuzuvadi in Krishnagiri district of the state.
As a Bandh has been called by various organizations in Bengaluru, DCP central Bengaluru Shekar T Tekkannavar says, "...We have made adequate bandobast...as per the order of the commissioner, no protest or procession is allowed...traffic is normal"
Multinational firms like Google, Walmart, IBM and Accenture have reportedly asked employees to work from home on September 26, Tuesday. As per an internal memos obtained by Reuters, Google, Walmart, IBM, and Accenture have instructed their employees to opt for remote work and refrain from any non-essential commuting on the day of the Tuesday strike.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CT Ravi on Monday said that his party will support the Bengaluru Bandh, called Tuesday to protest against the release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. "Today our state party chief and BS Yediyurappa declared support. We will support it and with it, we'll also protest in front of the Gandhi statue," CT Ravi told ANI.
According to BMTC, all routes of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be operational as usual.
Speaking to reporters, Manju, a bus conductor at Majestic BMTC Bus stop in Bengaluru said,"As bandh has been called, no commuters are seen in Kempegowda bus stop which is usually one of the busiest bus stops in the state."
Karnataka: Less number of passengers seen at Majestic Bus Station, Bengaluru because of the Bandh called by various organizations regarding the Cauvery water issue.
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: IndiGo
Airline Vistara came up with a travel update asking its travellers to plan their rides to and from the airport with caution since private transport might be disrupted. "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," the airline said in a post on 'X'.
Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association president Tanveer Pasha said that Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Ola and Uber services will be as usual.
Protests have been planned at Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan, TownHall by pro Kannada organisations. However, the Police Commissioner alerted that protests would only be allowed in Freedom Park.
In the wake of bandh, Section 144 will be imposed in the city under which gatherings of more than five people will not be permitted.
Bengaluru Urban District Collector KA Dayanand has announced a public holiday for all schools and colleges in the city in view of the Bandh.
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