Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Democratic Progressive Alliance leaders began their day-long fast demanding early completion of the Sethusamudram project even as a bandh-like situation remained in the state.

Though the Supreme Court had stayed the Tamil Nadu bandh called for Monday by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its allies on the Ram Sethu Project, buses in most parts of the state were off the roads and shops in main thoroughfares remained closed.

Reports said it was a 'virtual bandh' in the state, with the Southern Railways operating only skeletal services.  However, autos and taxis were seen plying in the city.