Karnataka prepares for second bandh in protest of Cauvery water release; here's what to expect
Bengaluru, another shutdown is set to disrupt daily life in Karnataka this Friday, September 29, as a protest against the release of Cauvery water to neighboring Tamil Nadu intensifies. Led by «Kannada Okkuta» leader Vattal Nagaraj, the bandh is scheduled to run from 6 am to 6 pm, impacting various services and activities across the state.
What Remains Open?
Despite the bandh, certain essential services will continue to operate.
Bengaluru Metro, which maintained services during the previous shutdown, will once again run as usual. Banks, which were closed on Thursday due to Eid-e-Milad an-Nabi, will resume their operations on Friday.
Hospitals, pharmacies, and government offices will also remain open, functioning as per their regular schedules.
What Remains Closed?
On the flip side, malls and shops will be closed for the day, with street vendors prohibited from selling food on the streets. Schools and colleges are expected to remain shut, while employees from private and corporate sectors are encouraged to work from the comfort of their homes.
The Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation, which operated normally during the Tuesday bandh, is likely to participate this time, potentially disrupting bus services across Karnataka. Notably, popular cab aggregators Ola and Uber have shown their support for the shutdown and will not provide services on Friday.
The Cauvery Water Dispute Continues
This bandh comes as a response to the Karnataka government's decision to release Cauvery water into Tamil Nadu, as instructed by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
