Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Karnataka Bus Strike: Protests and Service Disruptions
Transport workers in Karnataka are planning a big protest in Bengaluru on January 28, 2026.
They want the government to pay them money they say they are owed from 2020 to early 2023 and to increase their salaries starting from January 1, 2024.
The government has said they will only pay some of the money owed and will increase salaries starting from January 1, 2026.
The workers are not happy with this and have called for a strike.
The bus company, BMTC, says buses will still run, but they are not sure if the protest will cause traffic problems.
Many people who use the buses are worried about how this will affect their travel plans.
Transport employees in Karnataka have called for a statewide strike and a 'Bengaluru Chalo' protest on January 28, 2026, demanding payment of 38 months of outstanding dues and a wage revision effective January 1, 2024.
The protest is scheduled to take place at Freedom Park in Bengaluru from 10 am to 4 pm, with thousands of employees expected to participate.
BMTC has stated that bus services will continue as usual on January 28, but traffic disruptions cannot be ruled out if a large number of staff join the protest.
The Karnataka government has refused to accept the employees' demands in full, proposing a wage revision effective January 1, 2026, and offering arrears for only 18 to 20 months.
Authorities have cancelled weekly holidays for staff on the day of the protest and arranged additional buses on high-demand routes to ensure uninterrupted services.
- Who
- Transport employees of Karnataka's state-run transport corporations and the Karnataka government
- What
- A protest and strike by transport employees demanding payment of outstanding dues and wage revision
- When
- January 28, 2026, from 10 am to 4 pm
- Where
- Freedom Park, Bengaluru, and potentially across Karnataka
- Why
- To demand payment of 38 months of outstanding dues and a wage revision effective January 1, 2024
- Date of Protest
- January 28, 2026
- Protest Location
- Freedom Park, Bengaluru
- Protest Time
- 10 am to 4 pm
- Outstanding Dues Period
- 2020 to early 2023
- Government's Proposed Wage Revision Date
- January 1, 2026
- Government's Proposed Arrears Payment Period
- 18 to 20 months
- Employees' Demanded Arrears Payment Period
- 38 months
- Employees' Demanded Wage Revision Date
- January 1, 2024