KSRTC to ferry essential goods to offset truckers' stir effects

 In view of the ongoing strike by truckers, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has stepped in to supply essential commodities by directing all its 15 divisional offices to provide required number of buses as and when requested by district authorities.

A senior KSRTC official said the 20 buses were provided in Bengaluru to transport essential commodities from Whitefield sector.

With more associations expressing solidarity with their cause, the striking truckers will stage a protest in Freedom Park on Thursday.

Federation of Private Bus Owners president B Narayanappa said the government has continued to ignore their demands and they have no option left. “We have got permission to protest for two days. We want the governments to understand our problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, many associations of lorry owners have written to the Centre opposing the hike in the third-party insurance payment rates.
Some associations of taxi drivers attached to Ola and Uber also said they will join the protesters on Thursday.

“People say we begin strikes without trying to talk with the government. By March 10, many associations wrote to the government. Strike is the last course of action,” said Radhakrishna Holla, who heads a tourist taxi association in the city.