Karnataka Bandh: 44 Flights From Bengaluru Cancelled; Passengers Create Ruckus At Kempegowda Airport

As Karnataka observes a state-wide shutdown on Friday over the Cauvery water dispute, at least 44 flights that were scheduled to take off and land at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru have been cancelled, the airport authorities said.

Reportedly, 22 of these flights were coming to Bengaluru and 22 were outgoing. While, several passengers reportedly complained that their tickets were cancelled without any prior notice, airport authorities have said it was due to operational reasons, and passengers were intimated within time.

“We cancelled 44 flights today. They include 22 flights to and an equal number of flights from Bengaluru due to the strike,” an airport official told PTI. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said there were only 59.88 per cent bus operations in southern parts of Karnataka.

According to India Today, five pro-Kannada activists were taken into custody as they entered the airport premises with a Karnataka flag to the stage and created a ruckus inside the premises of Kempegowda International Airport.

The protesters reportedly booked flight tickets to get entry to the airport premises.

Some passengers had a harrowing time as they missed their flights, buses and trains due to the day-long shutdown. Many passengers were distraught following the cancellation of flights and bus services.

The Karnataka bandh has been called by the ‘Kannada Okkoota’ to oppose the release of water to Tamil Nadu. The protest received a good response in Bengaluru and other southern parts of the State on Friday, disrupting normal life.

Authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and Hassan districts, and declared a holiday for schools and colleges. The bandh will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday.

Most of the shops, business establishments and eateries in Cauvery basin districts such as Mandya in the southern part of the State downed their shutters. Private vehicles were off the roads in those areas.

Theatres across the state have cancelled film shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the bandh.

Most of the information technology companies and other firms in Bengaluru have asked their employees to work from home.