JOIN USCommuters hit as KSRTC buses stay off roads
People depending on public transport had a tough time on Monday as Karnataka State Road Transportaion Corporation (KSRTC) buses stayed off the roads.
KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation started their indefinite strike from Sunday evening, demanding at least 30% hike in their salaries, besides other demands.
Following the protest, the district administration made alternative arrangements for commuters and declared a holiday for schools on Monday and Tuesday. Around 80 buses stayed off the roads from Sunday evening.
None of the 650 buses in the rural division and 425 in the urban division came on to the roads as employees struck work. People in the city had to depend on autorickshaws and cabs. However, City Police Commissioner B Dayananda had warned private travel agents against charging excess.
The district administration had roped in private players like tourist taxis, cabs and private buses to ferry people. The vehicles were arranged from the suburban bus stand, private bus stand, Metropole Circle, Gun House Circle and other parts of the city.
Tempo Travellers, taxis and cabs were arranged for HD Kote, Hunsur and Periyapatna, while private buses were deployed for Kodagu, Hassan and Chamarajanagar. However, these vehicles charged Rs 10 to Rs 20 more than the KSRTC fare.
T Narsipur and Nanjangud taluk administration too had made alternative arrangements to ferry people to Talakadu, Bannur and other places but not many passengers travelled in them.
Train rescheduled
In view of the ongoing strike, South Western Railway has provided additional stoppages for the Tipu Express between Mysuru and KSR Bengaluru City. Stops are provided at Channapatna, Ramanagaram and Kengeri for the benefit
of travellers and the train leaves Mysuru Junction at 11.15 am.
Private buses
City police and the district administration have arranged private buses from Lalith Mahal helipad to Chamundi Hill on the occasion of Chamundi Vardhanti on Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) N Rudramuni said, “Twenty-five buses have been arranged from the helipad to the hill. The bus agents have agreed to ferry devotees at Rs 10 per head one-way.”
The DCP said no untoward incident was reported in the city on Monday.