In anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Bengaluru is set to undergo three dry days with authorities imposing a temporary prohibition on liquor sales. All liquor outlets, including shops, bars, and restaurants, are mandated to close from 5 pm on Wednesday, April 24, until midnight on April 26.
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The ban on alcohol sales will then resume from 12 am on June 3 to 12 am on June 4 during the vote-counting period, affecting all establishments serving alcoholic beverages within Bengaluru’s city Commissionerate limits. However, food and non-alcoholic drink services may continue during this period.
Additionally, Bengaluru will enforce prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) from 6 pm on April 24 to midnight on April 26, prohibiting gatherings, public rallies, meetings, possession of weapons or explosives, burning effigies, and delivering provocative speeches or political slogans.
To address the expected surge in travel demand during the elections and alleviate the strain of summer travel, railway authorities have introduced special train services linking Bengaluru with Mangaluru Central and Udupi. Train No. 06553 Bengaluru – Mangaluru Central Special is scheduled to depart from Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in Bengaluru at 6:00 PM on April 25 (Thursday), reaching Mangaluru Central at 10 AM the following day. Train No. 06554 Mangaluru Central – Bengaluru Special will depart from Mangaluru Central at 12 PM on April 26 (Friday), arriving at Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal in Bengaluru at 3 AM the next day.
Furthermore, South Western Railway authorities have announced the Yesvantpur – Kundapur special express to connect Bengaluru with Udupi. Train No. 06547 will depart from Yesvantpur in Bengaluru on April 25 at 11:20 PM, arriving at Kundapur the following day at 10:45 AM.
