<p>Friday brought tranquillity to Bengaluru with clear roads, half-empty metro trains, and infrequent buses as residents chose to stay home after voting.</p>.<p>Despite the prevailing calm, the morning bustled with activity as residents lined up at polling stations, determined to cast their ballots before the day grew hotter.</p>.<p>The air crackled with conversation as senior citizens to spirited youngsters alike made their way to the polling booths.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, playgrounds buzzed with a different energy as software industry groups engaged in sports activities, while others enjoyed brief catch-ups with friends.</p>.<p>“We get two days off towards the weekend, and all we do is rest. But getting a holiday on Friday has given us ample time to do other things apart from just sitting at home,” said Suhas Ram, a techie from Yelahanka New Town.</p>.<p><strong>Empty roads</strong></p>.<p>As the evening descended, the city's typically vibrant streets were quieter, as traffic dwindled to a mere trickle.</p>.<p>The Transport Department scaled back BMTC bus frequencies and made them as inter-district shuttles to ferry the large number of people, especially those of the working class, who were heading out of the city to vote.</p>.<p>Prashanth Kumar, an Assistant Traffic Manager at the KSRTC Majestic bus stand, told DH that the crowd was enormous until 11 am. The number only increased with each passing hour.</p>.<p>“We expected this situation,” Prashanth said. “We had plans to deploy BMTC buses. In the end, we succeeded in assisting all commuters to travel to different districts.”</p>.<p>At the BMTC Majestic bus stand, a board was installed, “Owing to the election, fewer buses are operational today. Please co-operate." The crowds on the metro trains were also thin. </p>.<p>Officials of the Transport Department noted that most of the traffic was headed to Mysuru, Hassan, Hosadurga, and Tumakuru. Bookings on trains headed to these destinations were also brisk.</p>.<p>Although malls had less-than-normal footfall throughout the day, people began streaming in towards the evening. Attendance was particularly high at indoor playing arenas and clubs.</p>
<p>Friday brought tranquillity to Bengaluru with clear roads, half-empty metro trains, and infrequent buses as residents chose to stay home after voting.</p>.<p>Despite the prevailing calm, the morning bustled with activity as residents lined up at polling stations, determined to cast their ballots before the day grew hotter.</p>.<p>The air crackled with conversation as senior citizens to spirited youngsters alike made their way to the polling booths.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, playgrounds buzzed with a different energy as software industry groups engaged in sports activities, while others enjoyed brief catch-ups with friends.</p>.<p>“We get two days off towards the weekend, and all we do is rest. But getting a holiday on Friday has given us ample time to do other things apart from just sitting at home,” said Suhas Ram, a techie from Yelahanka New Town.</p>.<p><strong>Empty roads</strong></p>.<p>As the evening descended, the city's typically vibrant streets were quieter, as traffic dwindled to a mere trickle.</p>.<p>The Transport Department scaled back BMTC bus frequencies and made them as inter-district shuttles to ferry the large number of people, especially those of the working class, who were heading out of the city to vote.</p>.<p>Prashanth Kumar, an Assistant Traffic Manager at the KSRTC Majestic bus stand, told DH that the crowd was enormous until 11 am. The number only increased with each passing hour.</p>.<p>“We expected this situation,” Prashanth said. “We had plans to deploy BMTC buses. In the end, we succeeded in assisting all commuters to travel to different districts.”</p>.<p>At the BMTC Majestic bus stand, a board was installed, “Owing to the election, fewer buses are operational today. Please co-operate." The crowds on the metro trains were also thin. </p>.<p>Officials of the Transport Department noted that most of the traffic was headed to Mysuru, Hassan, Hosadurga, and Tumakuru. Bookings on trains headed to these destinations were also brisk.</p>.<p>Although malls had less-than-normal footfall throughout the day, people began streaming in towards the evening. Attendance was particularly high at indoor playing arenas and clubs.</p>