KSRTC strike: Confusion and chaos as hundreds of passengers left stranded; auto drivers make a killing in Bengaluru

The sudden halt in services of public transport buses in Karnataka has severely affected normal life across the state with thousands of passengers stranded in different towns and cities.

 

Transport workers from all four road transport corporations began their indefinite strike on Tuesday morning to press for their pending demands.

 

Long queues, confusion and helplessness were visible in many bus terminals as passengers were struggling to find alternate ways to reach their destinations. Several travellers have also voice frustration over lack of communication from the officials.

 

"We are here for the last one hour... We still don't know whether the bus will even come or not... It has caused a lot of inconvenience because it has not been planned well. No other options have been given for all the passengers who had booked tickets well in advance. Even the officials here are clueless,” a passenger at Hubbali bus terminal told ANI news agency.

 

Another passenger also echoed similar sentiments. “My journey is very essential. I have to go. I cannot even look for a flight or train at the last moment. Even the private buses are all full. I am totally held up, unable to do anything. It's a mess here,” he said.

 

In Bengaluru, the government has allowed private operators to start trips from the Majestic bus terminal.

 

Though the private bus operators have been strictly warned against charging increased ticket price, reports said, autorickshaw drivers are charging exorbitant fares from the passengers in the city.

 

Employees’ union of KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC decided to go ahead with the strike even as the Karnataka High Court on Monday issued an interim stay against their agitations.

 

 

India