‘Bengaluru Chalo’ on Feb 19: Transport staff set deadline, warn of statewide bus shutdown from Feb 20

Over 1.15 lakh employees from KSRTC, BMTC and two other corporations to stage massive protest at Freedom Park, demanding wage arrears clearance and pay revision.

Bengaluru is set to witness a major protest on February 19 as transport employees from four state-run corporations call for a massive ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ movement, warning of a statewide bus shutdown from February 20 if their long-pending demands are not met.

Addressing a press conference at the AITUC headquarters in Sheshadripuram, leaders of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) announced that thousands of employees from KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC will gather at Freedom Park between 10 am and 4 pm for a day-long demonstration.

The protest, originally planned for January 29, was postponed following the demise of senior transport leader Ananth Subbarao on January 28. After holding discussions on February 3, the committee fixed February 19 as the new date.

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Transport leaders said the government has failed to act despite repeated meetings and assurances. They alleged that 14 months of pending salary arrears and wage revision promises remain unfulfilled. The committee rejected the government’s assurance of partial payments and demanded complete settlement with interest.

Union leaders warned that if the government does not respond by 4 pm on February 19, transport services across Karnataka will be suspended from February 20, severely impacting commuters statewide.

They accused the government of neglecting workers’ concerns, ignoring multiple representations, and resorting to legal pressure when strike notices are issued. Leaders also appealed to all employees to avoid reporting to depots and participate in the protest until their demands are fulfilled.

The unions said they have shown restraint for over two years and called upon the government to take immediate decisions to prevent disruption of public transport services.