'There may be an impact...': Ahead of Bengaluru bandh, Akasa Air, SpiceJet issue advisory for passengers

‘There may be an impact…’: Ahead of Bengaluru bandh, Akasa Air, SpiceJet issue advisory for passengers

Bengaluru, the IT hub of India, is facing a shutdown on September 26, 2023, as several pro-Kannada and farmer groups have called for a bandh to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The bandh, which is expected to affect normal life and business activities in the city, has also prompted some airlines to issue travel advisories for their passengers.

Akasa Air, the newest and fastest-growing airline in India, has advised its customers to plan for extra travel time and reach the airport at least three hours prior to the departure of their flights. The airline also offered its customers an option to rebook their flights at no additional cost if they choose not to travel on the day of the bandh123.

SpiceJet, another low-cost carrier that has been struggling with financial woes and declining market share, has also issued a similar advisory for its passengers. The airline said that it will waive off all cancellation and rescheduling charges for passengers travelling to and from Bengaluru on September 264.

Other airlines, such as Vistara and IndiGo, have also asked their passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport and keep sufficient time in hand to avoid any inconvenience24.

The bandh, which is supported by over 175 organisations, is likely to impact public transport facilities, such as buses, taxis, autorickshaws and metro services. Schools, colleges, shops, malls, theatres and restaurants are also expected to remain closed or operate with reduced staff567.

The bandh is a result of the ongoing dispute over the sharing of Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has recommended Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water every day at Biligundlu from September 28 to October 158. However, the Karnataka government and the farmers have opposed this decision, saying that it will affect the drinking water supply and irrigation needs of the state910.

The bandh is also seen as a political move by some pro-Kannada groups ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka next year. The groups have accused the ruling BJP government of betraying the interests of the state and demanded that it should challenge the CWRC’s recommendation in the Supreme Court10.

The Cauvery water dispute has been a long-standing issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which share the river that originates in Kodagu district of Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before joining the Bay of Bengal. The dispute dates back to the pre-independence era and has witnessed several protests, violence and legal battles over the years. The Supreme Court had given its final verdict on the matter in 2018, allocating 177.25 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water to Tamil Nadu and 284.75 tmcft to Karnataka11. However, the implementation of the verdict has been marred by disagreements and delays.

The Bengaluru bandh is likely to add more pressure on the already strained relations between the two states and affect the lives of millions of people who depend on the Cauvery water for their livelihoods and sustenance. It remains to be seen how the central and state governments will resolve this issue amicably and peacefully.