Bus services to TN to be hit

Road transport between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will be hit on Thursday as government and private players have decided to stay off the roads following a bandh called by DMK and its allies over the Cauvery issue.

The day-long bandh is likely to affect normal life in Tamil Nadu on Thursday with the largest traders' body and majority of the transport unions participating in the shutdown. KSRTC has also cancelled 250 buses to Tamil Nadu.

An official said bus services will continue normally during the night.

Goods transport will also come to a halt till evening as the Southzone Motor Transporters Welfare Association (SIMTA) has decided not to take a risk.

"About three lakh vehicles from Karnataka travel to Tamil Nadu everyday as it is also the most convenient route to some places in Andhra Pradesh. A similar number travel to Karnataka through Tamil Nadu. We are expecting huge losses," SIMTA director Anand K said in Bengaluru. However, train services between the two states will be normal as the railways are usually not affected by bandhs.

Shops and restaurants will remain closed and government buses operated by drivers' affiliated to trade unions other than that of the AIADMK will stay off the roads from 6 am to 6 pm in Tamil Nadu.
The DMK and its allies gave the call in protest against the Union government's delay in constituting the Cauvery Management Board.
PMK and farmers' associations are supporting the bandh.
Chennai's Metropolitian Transport Corporation is expected to run skeletal services since drivers affiliated to unions of the AIADMK are likely to report to work.

In Karnataka, the police have also tightened security ahead of the bandh by deploying more forces, especially on the border with Tamil Nadu.