Bengaluru: The statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits has caused massive revenue loss to the exchequer.
According to sources, Karnataka’s state transport services were majorly hit by the bandh, especially in the northern region, as it suffered a total revenue loss of approximately Rs 4 crore on Thursday.
On an average, KSRTC has per day revenue of Rs 8.5 crore.
The major impact of the dawn-to-dusk bandh was seen in northern districts, which are seeking water from the Mahadayi basin, while it crippled normal life in other parts also, as public services were paralysed.
State-run buses remained off the roads. Auto rickshaws and cabs were available in Bengaluru but in fewer numbers.
However, in the evening the city limped back to normalcy with buses back on the road and shops and commercial establishments reopening.
"Namma Bengaluru is back to Normalcy..." Bengaluru city police said in a tweet.
Similar reports have come from different parts of the state, where bandh has been peaceful.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements across the state to ensure that no untoward incident occurs.
Vatal Nagaraj, who heads 'Kannada Okoota', an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies that led the protest march from town hall to Freedom Park in the city today, warned protests in front of the Parliament if Prime Minister Narendra Modi doesn't intervene in the matter.
"Bandh has got a very good response. Prime Minister should intervene. Until his intervention, we will conduct protests at different stages. Finally, we will also stage a protest in front of Parliament in Delhi," he said.
As a precautionary step, schools and colleges in most parts declared a holiday. Several examinations were also rescheduled.
Earlier in the day, a group of protesters tried to disrupt rail services by entering the Bengaluru's Sangolli
Rayanna railway station but police stopped and detained them.
The protest was also staged in front of Manyata Embassy Business Park, a software technology park in the city, alleging that several IT companies inside were functioning as usual, evading the bandh call.
While the film industry and multiplexes had decided remain shut, as also shopping malls, hospitals and clinics functioned normally, with Indian Medical Association office bearers stating they will be extending moral support by wearing a black band.
Very few hotels, restaurants and eateries were opened in the city, and stray minor incidents of stone throwing were also reported with the bandh organisers targeting shops that refused to down shutters.
Opposition BJP has termed the bandh as "politically motivated" and alleged the ruling Congress' role, saying it was synchronised with dates when BJP national President Amit Shah was in Mysuru today to address a party rally.
Similarly, a Bengaluru bandh has been called on February four also, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the poll-bound state to take part in 'Nav Karnataka Parivartan Yatra' of the state unit in the city.
Addressing a rally in Mysuru, Shah said the "Parivatan Yatre" led by BJP state unit President B S Yeddyurappa has created fear among Congressmen and that was why the state government was trying to stop rallies by supporting bandh using "non-democratic" means.
Karnataka, which has locked horns with Goa on sharing Mahadayi River water, is seeking the release of 7.56 tmcft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project.
The project is being undertaken to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and districts of Belagavi and Gadag.
Attempts have been made by Karnataka to amicably solve the issue pending before the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal through discussion have failed to bear fruit.
Repeated efforts by the state seeking Prime Minister's intervention to solve the issue, has also not been successful.
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