The bandh on Tuesday conjured up many emotions. While some raked in the moolah, others were disappointed with their earnings.

The vishwasghat (betrayal) was evident, as many business establishments could not run their usual business.

If malls and multiplexes wore an almost deserted look, eateries suffered on account of low footfall. “The footfall on Tuesday was almost 50 per cent less than normal days. Though new releases like Fukrey, Man Of Steel and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani are doing good business at the box office, only 1,058 out of 5,000 seats were filled up today in different shows. On Monday, 2,540 seats were filled up,” said Abhishek Ranjan, the unit manager of Cinepolis.

“On Tuesdays, we do brisk business. However, only three tables were occupied till 1pm. We had several bookings, which were later cancelled,” said an executive at Pind Balluchi, the revolving restaurant at Biscomaun Bhavan.

Bihar State Auto Drivers’ Association claimed that around 80 per cent of the vehicles were out on the streets despite the bandh. “As there was no prior decision by the association to suspend services, around 80 per cent of the autorickshaws plied on the streets on Tuesday,” said Raj Kumar Jha, the general secretary of the association.

The normal number of autos helped many commute to office without any hassles. “I leave for office around 9am but considering the rally, I asked my boss on Monday to allow me to come in the second half. I left home around 1pm and reached office by 2pm,” said Arpita, an employee of a private firm.

The operations of around 300 mini buses under the city service were affected owing to the bandh.

Taxi drivers, however, took advantage of the chaos to fleece passengers. “Many taxi drivers charged around Rs 600 for taking passengers to the Patna town area on Tuesday, for which they normally charge Rs 300-400,” said a source at the Patna airport.