The State-wide bandh, announced by various farmers associations on Saturday, and supported by opposition parties, is unlikely to affect normal life in the city.
The protesters are against the building of a dam at Mekedatu, across river Cauvery, by the Karnataka government.
Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will operate its entire fleet. “The strike was announced all of a sudden. Being a government organisation, we need to give strike notice a fortnight in advance,” said an MTC staffer. However, the employees and unions fully support the cause, he said.
Autorickshaws attached to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) may not ply on Saturday, however.
“We have told drivers to stay off the road. The reason behind the bandh is genuine and we support it,” said J. Seshasayanam, secretary of AITUC-affiliated Madras Metro Auto Drivers’ Association.
Koyambedu market complex and markets across the city too will function on Saturday though a few trader groups have announced they will join the bandh. Members of Chennai Koyambedu Wholesale Tomato Traders Federation plan to down shutters in support.
Banks will function as usual on Saturday. With the fiscal year coming to an end, and a long Easter weekend ahead, many banks plan to avoid backlog, said S. Nagarajan, general secretary, All India Bank Officers Association.
The Chennai Metropolitan Tea Shop Owners Association has announced their members will shut shop on Saturday.
The protesters are against the building of a dam at Mekedatu, across river Cauvery, by the Karnataka government
