Bandh: Bus passengers left in the lurch

Bandh: Bus passengers left in the lurch
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stations across the city wore a deserted look as not many people ventured out of their houses on the bandh day.

BMTC buses stayed off the roads till 5 pm and the services resumed thereafter.

Very few people were seen waiting for buses at Majestic, Shivajinagar, Shanthinagar, KR Market and other places.

Many were stranded at the Kampegowda bus station (KBS). Many were waiting for several hours to catch long-distance buses.

“We have been waiting from morning for a bus to go to Kottayam,” said Jhansi, a passenger.

Ambarish who had come to the city from Yadgir was waiting at the KBS from 7 am to get a bus to Madurai. Many people like Jhansi and Ambarish were stranded at the KBS till the bus services resumed in the evening.

People had a tough time as not a single hotel or a shop was open. KBS divisional controller Prakash Babu said the bus services were affected from 8 am to 5.30 pm.

A large number of people were also stranded at the City Railway Station. Train services were not affected.

Since buses, autorickshaws and taxis stayed off the roads, many people, who had come from other places, were stranded at the railway station.

Meenakshi, who arrived here from Chennai, said: “I have no choice but to walk up to Sultanpalya, my destination”.