From banking to public transport, daily life seems likely to be affected in a myriad of states. Kerala, Odisha, Karnataka, and West Bengal are places most affected. Here is a full layout of what to expect tomorrow.
1. Banking and Financial Services
- Status: Heavily Impacted.
Details: Significant unions such as AIBEA, AIBOA, and BEFI have said they are participating. - Online banking/ATMs will likely be in operation but physical branch services like cash deposits, cheque clearing, and loan processing will experience delays.
- Public sector banks would be especially affected.
2. Transport and Commute
- Status: Partial to Severe Disruption.
- Buses and Taxis: State-operated transport (KSRTC in Kerala), or bus unions in some parts of the state, are taking part. Auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have also committed their support in many of the city’s urban centers.
- Trains & Flights: Railways and airports work as they should in theory. But "rasta roko" (neighborhood road blockades) at station and airport levels can complicate the commute.
- Metros: They would likely continue operating in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, with only a few stations close to protest sites congested and shutters for some time.
3. Schools & Colleges
- Status: State-dependent variable.
- Details: There is no national order on the shutting down of schools. But in places like Kerala and parts of Odisha, schools are likely to stay closed. In other areas, individual school authorities might declare a holiday, if local transport is heavily impacted.
4. Business Establishments/Markets
- Status: Partially Closed.
- Details: Local traders’ associations in states have offered “moral support.” In protests and protest strongholds, shop-fronts and commercial markets may stay closed until 4 PM or 6 PM. Some essential products, such as milk and vegetables, may be available only in the early morning.
5. Essential Services: What Remains Open
- Emergency Care: Hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies are totally exempt from the strike.
- Utilities: Water and electricity supply services shall continue to operate.
- Media: Newspapers and media houses will function as always.
- Sabarimala Pilgrims: Within Kerala, transport for Sabarimala pilgrims has been exempted from the bandh.
