DH FILE PHOTO
Employees of Karnataka's state-owned transport corporations began an indefinite strike on Tuesday morning, severely affecting public bus services across the state and leaving passengers in the lurch.
The unions went ahead with the strike despite a court stay, pressing demands including wage revision. Buses remained parked at depots and only a few were seen running, as some staff chose not to participate in the strike.
Some buses in rural areas operated as a few drivers opted to work for the convenience of students to ferry them to their schools, said sources in the transport department. Due to disruption in bus services, attendance in schools, colleges and offices was thin. The transport corporations are learned to have roped in trainee bus drivers to manage the situation. Also, the private buses were also allowed to ply from the government bus terminals.
Bus stands in major cities like Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Madikeri, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi saw heavy passenger rush, with thousands stranded and struggling to find alternate ways to reach their destinations.
Passengers faced difficulty due to the running of a limited number of buses. Private bus operators and cab aggregators allegedly made a killing as a result of the strike, as passengers turned to them to reach their destinations. Some passengers complained that autorickshaw drivers were charging exorbitant fares in Bengaluru.
The workers are demanding payment of 38 months' salary arrears and a wage revision effective January 1, 2024.
Despite the Karnataka High Court issuing an interim stay on the strike, the unions have decided to go ahead with their protest.