Autorickshaws to stay off roads

Autorickshaws to stay off roads

The Hindu

Petrol outlets and cinemas to be closed today

# BMTC to operate skeletal services
# Many software companies closed

BANGALORE: People forced to stay indoors on Wednesday owing to the State-wide bandh called by Kannada organisations will not be able to watch many of their favourite channels for most part of the day.

All the non-Kannada channels will go off air in support of the bandh. The cable television operators have decided to air only the four Kannada channels — ETV, Udaya TV, Chandana and Zee Kannada between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. "This is our way of expressing solidarity towards the cause of the State," said General Secretary of Karnataka Cable TV Chambers of Commerce Amruth Kumar.

Mr. Kumar said the decision was taken at a meeting held on Monday. He said the Karnataka Cable TV Operators Association had agreed to the decision taken by the Cable TV Chambers of Commerce. "People will be able to see their programmes only from late evening," he added.

Skeletal services

Meanwhile, life in the city is likely to be affected with the closure of all petrol outlets and cinemas, while autorickshaws and taxis are staying off the road. The BMTC may operate skeletal services.

President of Karnataka Petroleum Dealers and Distributors Association Bhushan Narang said the decision to close petrol outlets was taken following the call given by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI). The petrol outlets will be closed during the bandh.

Managing Director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Upendra Tripathy said the state transport undertakings would run skeletal services primarily to cater to the needs of people visiting hospitals and attending schools. "Though the corporations will attempt to minimise hardships to passengers, the operations will depend upon police advice," he said. The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary Malati Das, he added.

The autorickshaw associations have expressed support for the bandh and all the vehicles are likely to stay off the road. "Though we will not be plying any autorickshaws, we will be using our own cars and other vehicles to meet cases of emergencies," said Chandrashekar, General Secretary of Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi Auto Chalakara Vedike. The Bangalore City Lorry Transporting Agents' Association has also expressed their support for the bandh.

Software firms closed

Most of the software companies, including Infosys, Wipro, Satyam and HCL, will not be working on Wednesday. Instead of Wednesday, the companies will work on Saturday. But the business process outsourcing firms will be working on Wednesday and they have made their own transport arrangements. Some of them have arrangements to bring the employees to office before the bandh starts.

Security

Police Commissioner Neelam Achuta Rao said appropriate security measures had been taken to avoid any untoward incidents in the city. Police have deployed platoons of City Armed Reserve, 600 home guards and a company of Rapid Action force, in addition to mobilising all the regular policemen.