Mysuru shuts down for Mahadayi

Shops down shutters; KSRTC buses keep off the road but private buses ply

(Clockwise from top left) Shops and business establishments remained closed in Mysuru on Saturday; the KSRTC bus stand wears a deserted look, and members of various organisations staging protests in the city.— Photos: Special Arrangement

The Karnataka bandh evoked good response in Mysuru, with shops and business establishments remaining closed and KSRTC buses keeping off the road on Saturday. However, autorickshaws and private buses operated as usual.

The bandh was total and peaceful with no untoward incidents reported. Police personnel were deployed across the city, with constant patrolling by senior officers. Reserve forces were stationed at key places.

Pro-Kannada organisations had called for the bandh to protest against the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal order.

Shops in the Central Business District comprising commercial hubs — D. Devaraja Urs Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, Ashoka Road, and Shivarampet — and in residential areas shut their shutters. A few hotels and restaurants though opened in the morning closed later in the day. Hotel staff was asked to extend moral support to the bandh by wearing black ribbons on their shoulders.

Buses remained in the depots as the KSRTC suspended its operations. Buses went off the roads since the early hours and the bustling sub-urban and city bus-stand wore a deserted look. However, some passengers were stranded and were seen looking for alternative transportation arrangements.

Train services were normal but passengers were few. Sources in the railways said trains were running as scheduled with no disruption in the services. Though the district administration had not declared holiday for schools and colleges, private institutions remained closed, while government schools and colleges functioned.

Children of private schools were seen returning home since there was no prior information about their closure. All government offices functioned but there were hardly any visitors. Banks functioned normally.

Petrol pumps in the city centres remained closed. Cinema halls and malls extended support to the bandh call by suspending screening, but resumed shows in the evening.

Some pro-Kannada activists forced a BPO management on Jayalakshmi Vilas Road in Chamarajapuram here to shut operations. Bus services were restored after 4 p.m. A series of protests were staged across the city.