Mysuru: The strike call given by the employees of KSRTC evoked good response in the cultural city of Mysuru. Normal life was affected across the district as employees of four state road transport corporations began an indefinite strike, seeking wage hike.
Thousands of passengers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai who arrived at the railway station were seen struggling to reach their destinations as auto and taxi drivers capitalized on the situation by charging exuberant fares. Stranded passengers were seen reluctantly paying high fares as they were left with no other options as most of them were not aware of the strike call given by state road transport unions.
Situation was no different in other parts of the district and authorities have declared a holiday in schools and colleges. Section 144 was enforced in city, sub-urban bus stand and its surrounding areas to ensure law and order. No untoward incidents were reported from any parts of the district.
More than one lakh employees of state transport corporations have gone on strike with about 41 demands, including a 35 per cent wage hike, while the State government has offered 10 per cent increase.
Several rounds of reconciliatory meetings held between the management of state transport corporations and the unions, even at the level of Transport Minister, had failed with both sides sticking to their stand.
Railways to stop trains at various stations between Bengaluru and Mysuru
Taking the strike call given by the state bus transport unions seriously, the railways made arrangements to stop few express trains at semi-urban towns. Accordingly, Tippu express which left at 11.45am stopped at Channapatna, Ramnagar and Kengeri stations to facilitate passengers travelling on the route. The railways regional divisional manager assured of support to passengers to stop other express trains if the need arises.
