The Hindu : Front Page : Government declares public holiday

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 31, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Government declares public holiday

Special Correspondent

— Photo: K. Pichumani

LAST-MINUTE RUSH: Passengers throng Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai on Friday to reach their destinations ahead of the bandh.

CHENNAI: The Government has declared March 31 a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act for all State Government offices, public undertakings including the State Transport Corporations and industrial establishments.

Buses and trains will not run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All buses departing on March 30 will be terminated at 5 a.m. on March 31 at convenient destinations. After the bandh hours, transport corporations will operate special buses.

"Airlines and Railways have been advised to reschedule their services on March 31 so that there is no movement between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. anywhere in the State," a State government release said. The Railways said some trains were being cancelled while some long distance trains would be regulated at stations. Passengers thronged Chennai Central and Egmore stations and the Koyambedu bus terminus in a bid to reach their destinations.

While Indian announced cancellation of its flights, most international airlines would operate as scheduled. Passengers had been intimated about the bandh, spokesperson of an international airline said.

Essential services such as telephones and telecommunication, water supply, milk distribution, power supply, fire services, newspapers, hospitals, treasuries and scheduled banks have been exempted. Liquor shops, cinema halls and explosive godowns will remain closed.

The Madras High Court declined to interfere with the bandh call and held that it was premature to file a public interest litigation petitions seeking to declare the bandh illegal.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page