Schools, jobs and travel plans may be affected due to today’s bandh

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: While the bandh is expected to disrupt transport services in the city on Monday, many private schools, especially those without their own vehicles, have declared.

Manoj Padikkal, Chairman of the School Transport Wing of the Bus and Cars Operators Confederation, said, "Most schools in the city that do not have their own transport fleet have declared a holiday. Some schools have shifted to online classes. Those schools with their own vehicles have decided to conduct classes as usual, mainly due to the mid-term exams," he said.

There are a total of 32 private transport associations, and it is anticipated that most private transport including the school van services will not be operational on Monday.

D Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of the Associated Managements of English Medium Schools (KAMS), said, "We have not declared any holiday and it is left to schools to take a decision. Schools completely relying on private operators have declared holidays, but others have not.”

Sources said some tech firms have instructed employees to work-from-home on September 11.

Tanveer Pasha, President of Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association, said, "We have left the decision to drivers; whether they want to play or participate in the strike. There is no forceful direction to our drivers," he said.

On Sunday, the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), in a notification said, "Due to the one-day Bengaluru bandh on September 11, all modes of public transport will be impacted. Passengers are advised to plan their travel to and from the airport. Passengers are requested to follow the media releases from transport authorities for updates."

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda has asked the citizens to rely on public transport services, including BMTC buses and metro trains, which will operate without any disruptions.

Additionally, BMTC is making preparations to deploy extra buses on Monday to ensure a smooth commute.