BMTC and KSRTC buses will operate services on Saturday during the Karnataka Bandh depending on the situation.
Similarly, metro rail services will also operate normally provided the bandh, called by various Kannada organisations against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, remains peaceful.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) authorities told Express that they will take a suitable decision depending on situation on Saturday.
“As of now we have no plans to stop operations,” said Yashwanth Chavan, official spokesperson, BMRCL.
A senior railway official said there will be no disruption of train services on Saturday.
However, autorickshaw and taxi unions have unanimously decided keep of the roads to participate in the strike.
Taxi unions said they may not ply even if there is an emergency.
“We do not want to take chances since we will have to eventually bear cost of any damage,” said Radhakrishna Holla, secretary, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association.
The two major auto rickshaw unions in the city, Adarsha Auto Union with 18,000 autos and Centre of Indian Trade Unions with over 20,000 autos too have decided to stop operating on bandh day.
KSRTC has been operating buses even to Tamil Nadu and will not stop services in the state either.
“Operations depend on the situation but we have instructed drivers and conductors to report to duty.
In case there is are incidents, police will take action,” said Manjunatha Prasad, MD, KSRTC.
BMTC MD Anjum Parveez explained that if there is a demand for buses, then buses will operate.
“We do not want to cause any inconvenience.
In case situation gets out of hand in a particular area, then the police will assess the situation and update us.
There will be no largescale withdrawal of buses, but we have to strike a balance between citizens’ convenience and loss to public property,” Parveez said.
Bangalore Divisional Manager, South Western Railway (SWR), Anil Agarwal confirmed that will be no change in train schedules.