Passengers in Puducherry were adversely affected by the transport strike in Tamil Nadu, as many, who had planned trips to Nagapattinam or Karaikal had to postpone their plans.
Puducherry is one of the main transit points that connects travellers to the southern regions of Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the Puducherry government had increased the services by adding another 15 buses. “Besides, private bus operators have been pressed into service to deal with the crisis,” said an official of the Puducherry Road Transport Corporation (PRTC).
However, the private bus operators, using the strike to make quick money, increased the fares.
Passengers fleeced
Renuka, a passenger who was travelling to Chennai from Puducherry, said, “Private bus operators increased the fares, forcing us to shell out thrice the amount we normally pay. Only after police intervention, they agreed to charge nominal fares,” she said.
A senior official in TNSTC Cuddalore division said that none of the TNSTC buses were operated on Monday.
“The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operates nearly 1,500 buses via Puducherry to Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Kumbakonam, Cuddalore, Chennai, Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Tindivanam and Salem. In addition to this, State Express Transport Corporation operates buses to Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi,” the official added.
None of the 61 buses from TNSTC Villupuram division depot, which is located in Uppalam, were operated on Monday
Buses damaged
Cuddalore Collector T.P. Rajesh visited the Cuddalore bus stand and enquired passengers on whether buses were available on time. He said that four buses were damaged and eight crew members have been arrested. The administration had hired private buses and there was no hardship to the commuters.
