Bangalore Bandh on Sep 11: Schools Will be Open or Not?

On September 11, the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association declared a "Bengaluru Bandh" during which all private passenger vehicles, that count over 32,000 private transporters; will be off the road. While the federation was claiming that the Transport Department had failed to comply with its 28 demands by August 31, the deadline they set, the call for 'Bengaluru Bandh' will take place on September 11, 2023.'

According to the information received, on September 9, 2023, a meeting will be held between the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association and the Government of Karnataka. The final decision about the "Bengaluru Bandh" will then be taken, after the meeting.

As per the latest information, many schools have already declared a holiday on Monday. The reason is many students come by private vans and private transport association is the part of strike.

The protest is against the 'Shakti Scheme' launched by the Karnataka Government in the month of June 2023. In Bengaluru, a total of 32 transport unions, including those representing autorickshaws, buses, taxis, and cabs, have been brought together under a single federation and have called for a strike.

This strike call, nevertheless, is not the first of its kind. In opposition to the Shakti scheme, which provides free fares for women in road transport corporations' (RTCs') non-premium bus services, they voiced a similar appeal in July.

Will the Bandh Include School Vans?

Given the fact that the van service companies are members of the transport union, the schools that have contracted out van services will remain closed during this time. On whether or not the school will keep providing private van services, no decision has yet been made. Presuppose that the school will be closed on September 11th if the services provided by your child's school are contracted out. There should be no issue if the school administration runs the buses themselves. In this case, the transport strike won't have any impact on how smoothly school is going at your child's school.

The Concern of the Strike:

While auto rickshaws and taxi drivers are reaching out for compensation, owners of private buses have asked that the government implement the Shakti program in private buses as well as pay them back for tickets given to women. Unions representing auto owners and drivers are calling for a citywide ban on unauthorized bike taxis. Additionally, they want to outlaw aggregators that take a commission of more than 5% of the entire fare.

General Secretary of the Karnataka Associated Management of Schools on the 'Bengaluru Bandh':

The Bengaluru Bandh is yet unknown to us, according to D Sasikumar, General Secretary of the Karnataka Associated Management of Schools. If such information is received, a decision regarding whether to keep the schools closed or not will be made with immediate effect. The school association, however, has the last say in all of this. As a result, keep in touch with your child's teacher and keep an eye on Telegram or WhatsApp, where all of the most recent information about your child's school is posted.

What the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association Has to Say?:

"We had presented a list of 30 demands to the Transport Minister, with assurances that 28 of them would be met by August 31. However, the government has once more overlooked our needs. Despite engaging in numerous discussions with the government, nothing has been resolved. To address our issues without causing public inconvenience, the government should arrange a public meeting before September 11. Our decision on proceeding with the strike will be based on the outcome of this meeting," Natraj Sharma, president of the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association said.

Shakti Scheme that Ignited the Strike:

For free, women can take non-premium government buses as part of the Shakti scheme. In order to receive compensation from the government, the carriers claim that the system has caused a considerable drop in their earnings.

What's Open and Closed During the 'Bengaluru Bandh' on September 11, 2023?:

Closed:

Private Taxis: During the bandh, it's anticipated that private taxi services, including app-based cab aggregators, won't be available.

Cabs: Conventional cab services are probably going to be disrupted, just as private taxis.
Autos: It is predicted that auto-rickshaws, a well-liked means of transportation in Bangalore, will stay off the roads.

Private Buses: The bandh is probably going to have an impact on private bus services, including both large and small operators.

Transport Services: In most cases, it is anticipated that private transport will not be available during the bandh.

Open:

Emergency Services: Hospitals, medical centers, and pharmacies should all remain open and accessible as emergency services. Additionally, services will be offered by cabs and metro trains run by app-based aggregators like Uber and Ola.

Government Buses: Public transport services run by the government are anticipated to run normally and could provide commuters an alternative.
Essential Services: Grocery stores, banks, and ATMs are a couple of essential services that are likely to stay open.

Businesses: Offices, shops, and restaurants, among other facilities, are free to decide whether to stay open or close.

It should be noted that the impact of the bandh may vary in scope, so it is advised to verify with particular service providers for up-to-date information on their activities on September 11 in real-time.