TN transport strike enters second day; normal life affected

Normal life was affected across Tamil Nadu for the second day on Tuesday as government buses were off the roads following an indefinite strike called by more than 40 trade unions of the State Express Transport Corporation.

The bandh was announced on Sunday night after talks with Transport Minister M R Vijayabaskar over pending salaries and settlement of benefits to retired staff, including PF benefits, failed.

Thousands of people were left stranded in several districts as most of the state-owned buses were off the roads. Most of the commuters stared using suburban rail services to reach office.

However, associations affiliated to the ruling AIADMK operated the bus services as usual and the authorities were trying their level best to ensure that normal services were maintained.

"We have hired more than thousand private buses. We have called the leaders of trade union to end the strike as soon as possible", Vijayabaskar said.

A senior official from transport department said Only about 30% of the government bus service was active.