JOIN USAn estimated 30,000 autorickshaws stayed off the roads in the city on Friday, following the bandh call given by the Mysooru Nagara Mathtu Jilla Autorickshaw Sanghatanegala Okkoota, in protest against the cab services in the city.
However, the major beneficiary of the bandh was public and other private transport operators, mostly the cabs as the people opted to hire the four-wheelers, along with KSRTC buses and tongas at other places.
According to the general manager of Nano Taxi R Vijaykumar, the demand for taxi services started since the crack of the dawn with the drivers briefed in prior to cater to the passengers. While those who had booked in advance could be ferried to their preferred destinations, it became difficult to consider the fresh bookings. As a result, some of the requests had to be turned down. The priority was given to those in need of medical help, availing services to the hospitals in the city, mainly K R Hosiptal and JSS Hospital.
However, they found it bit scary as one of the cabs was damaged in a mob attack near the KSRTC sub-urban bus stand arond 1.30 am. The incident occurred when the cabbie was dropping a passenger at the stand. Fearing life, the driver escaped from the spot and informed the higher ups.
It set a trigger for other cab providers, as some of them dared not to venture on the road, despite the demand. When enquired at Ola, it came to know that the service could not be offered at all the localities.
As planned earlier, KSRTC operated special buses from the early morning hours. The timings of the buses were linked with the arrival of trains and buses at the main railway station and sub-urban bus stand on Bengaluru-Nilgiri road respectively. No untoward incidents were reported, KSRTC Divisional Controller (Urban) H C Ramesh told Deccan Herald.
Autorickshaw drivers and owners owing allegiance to 18 different organisations supported the bandh call making it a success. The pre-paid autorickshaw stands at railway station, Palace, sub-urban bus stand wore a deserted look. Though some of the autos were found moving on the roads, they refused to ferry passengers.
Lakshmana the honorary president of Mysooru Nagara Maththu Jilla Autorickshaw Sanghatanegala Okkoota set one week’s deadline to the regional transport authority to restrict the movement of cabs inside the city at the cost of autorickshaws. Lakshmana demanded Deputy Commissioner C Shikha also the chairman of regional transport authroity to take action or face the wrath, as it has been decided to stage a protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s official residence.