Transport strike: Commuters suffer as buses, autox stay off-roads

The 24-hour strike by state transport corporation employees and some private operators against the proposed Motor Bill hit normal life across the country on Thursday. Commuters faced hardship in Kerala with buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws going off the roads, while transport services were crippled in Karnataka, Punjab, Gujarat, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. Transport services were partially hit in different parts of Delhi as auto rickshaws, 'kaali-peeli' taxis and some public buses went off the roads. Commuters, especially from railway stations and airports, had to face difficulties in getting to their destinations. Employees of state transport corporations complied with the 24-hour strike call by the trade unions against the Road Transport and Safety Bill, ignoring Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari’s assurances that the Bill does not trample over the rights of state transport authorities and all their concerns will be addressed. Claiming that the nationwide strike action is a success, left parties and their affiliates appealed to the NDA government to hold consultations on the proposed legislation. The strike was called jointly by national-level road transport bodies - representing both public and private sector workers - associated with central trade unions. The transport workers particularly oppose provisions in the Bill to obtain regular fitness certificates even for light motor vehicles and stringent penalties for driving offences. In some states, truck owners also joined them in the strike. Gadkari termed their concerns "premature" and said widespread consultations would be held with all stakeholders on the bill before its enactment. DHNS