Bharat Bandh: Bengaluru Traffic Advisory, Routes to Avoid

Bharat Bandh: Bengaluru Traffic Advisory, Routes to Avoid

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Bharat Bandh: Bengaluru Traffic Advisory, Routes to Avoid

Bharat Bandh on 9 July: Bengaluru Traffic Police has issued a special advisory ahead of a major protest organized by various groups at Freedom Park. The demonstration, aimed at pressing for multiple demands, is expected to draw large crowds, potentially causing traffic congestion in and around the Freedom Park area. Commuters are advised to avoid roads leading to Freedom Park and use alternative routes.

Bharat Bandh on 9 July 2025: Bengaluru Issues Traffic Advisory, Key Sectors Affected

Bengaluru authorities have issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the Bharat Bandh scheduled for 9 July 2025, in anticipation of large-scale protests and disruptions across the city. “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies.

As part of the strike, various organisations will stage a significant protest gathering at Freedom Park in central Bengaluru. Authorities estimate that 4,000 to 5,000 participants will congregate at the venue to voice their opposition to a series of economic reforms they believe undermine labour rights and social welfare protections.

Significant traffic congestion is expected in and around the area throughout the day.

In its official advisory, the police urged motorists to plan their travel in advance and use alternate routes. Additional security and traffic personnel have been deployed near major intersections and sensitive locations to manage the anticipated surge in movement and maintain public order.

The strike has been organized by a coalition of Left parties’ trade unions and several worker organisations. Their primary contention is that the central government is aggressively pushing economic reforms that, according to them, erode the rights of workers and favour corporations at the expense of labour protections.

In a joint statement, the unions alleged that the government has failed to conduct the Indian Labour Conference—a key dialogue platform—for the past ten years. They also accused the government of trying to impose four new labour codes without proper consultation, which the unions believe weakens collective bargaining, restricts union activities, and tilts labour.

The call for Bharat Bandh is thus a response to a broader grievance over what the unions describe as the dismantling of pro-labour safeguards, insufficient worker representation in policymaking, and growing privatization of public sector units.

Key Sectors Likely to Be Affected

The Bharat Bandh is expected to impact several critical sectors, particularly in Bengaluru and other urban centres.

  • Banking: Services in public sector banks may be significantly disrupted as bank employees’ unions have extended support to the strike.
  • Insurance: State-owned insurance company staff are also expected to participate, potentially affecting claims and policyholder services.
  • Postal Services: Disruptions in parcel delivery and postal operations are likely due to union involvement in the strike.
  • Public Sector Units (PSUs): Workers in major PSUs may join the strike, leading to slowdowns or partial shutdowns of operations.
  • Government Departments: Administrative delays are anticipated due to absenteeism among clerical and support staff in various departments.
  • Coal and Power Sectors: Over 27 lakh workers from coal mining and electricity supply sectors are expected to participate. While full-scale power outages are unlikely, minor disruptions and localised issues could occur.

Passengers using state-run buses may face inconvenience during the day.

What Will Not Be Affected?

Despite the widespread call for bandh, several sectors will remain unaffected:

  • Schools and Colleges: Educational institutions will remain open and operate as usual.
  • Private Sector Enterprises: Most private offices, IT companies, and corporate entities are expected to function normally.
  • Emergency Services: Hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and emergency medical services will remain fully operational to ensure public safety and wellbeing.
  • Metro and Cab Services: Namma Metro and private cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber are expected to run normally, although slight delays may be encountered due to traffic. Advisory for Commuters

Authorities are requesting the public to:

  • Avoid travel through Majestic, Shivajinagar, Race Course Road, and Freedom Park areas.
  • Use metro rail or private transport where feasible.
  • Cooperate with law enforcement officers stationed at protest sites and traffic checkpoints. Government Response

So far, the central government has not issued a formal statement responding to the Bharat Bandh. However, sources within the Labour Ministry suggest that the government is reviewing demands related to worker representation, implementation of the labour codes, and transparency in economic reforms.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka state government has instructed all district administrations to stay on alert and ensure that essential services are not disrupted. Security has also been heightened across major government installations, transportation hubs, and commercial zones.

Conclusion

With multiple sectors affected and major protests planned in Bengaluru, especially at Freedom Park, residents and commuters are advised to remain alert, avoid crowded areas, and stay updated via official advisories to navigate the day with minimal disruption.