Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu, Asia’s largest bus terminus, wore a deserted look as the transport workers’ strike entered the third day. Passengers were stranded at every bus stop in the city, waiting for the few buses that were operated.
In Koyambedu, buses of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and Metropolitan Transport Corporation were parked at the bays. The situation at the MTC bus termini in the city was not different.
Buses were parked inside many of the termini and depots and some of them were parked on the roads, blocking free flow of traffic. A sizeable percentage of staff abstained from work and sat near the depots waiting for a resolution of the dispute.
According to workers’ unions, over 80% of the buses were idling at the depot and only a small number of them were operated. However, the management of the MTC claimed that 33% of the fleet was operational.
The State government requisitioned the services of private bus operators such as companies, factories, colleges and IT firms. Trips were arranged from Broadway bus stand, CMBT, Tambaram and other places. Private omni bus services to districts were not affected.
Many commuters hired share-autos, auto-rickshaws and call-taxis for short distances. A few of them also took lifts from motorcyclists.
S. Srinivasan, a commuter who travelled from Parry’s Corner to Tambaram, said: “It is really a harrowing experience to wait at the bus stand, expecting the arrival of one of the few buses. I did not travel on train since I had to meet friends in Saidapet. I managed to reach Saidapet from Anna Salai by getting a lift.” R. Ragini, a woman commuter, said, “ I had to pay ₹800 to travel in a call-taxi from Guindy to Choolaimedu on Friday night.”
Trains crowded
There was a sizeable increase of commuters in suburban trains, MRTS and Metro rail services. Even as many MTC buses stayed off the roads, traffic went haywire on Anna Salai and in Basin Bridge, Mint and Velachery.
The normal life of residents was affectedon the outskirts such as Redhills, Poonamallee, Tambaram and Mangadu. Some even had to travel in goods carriers to come to the city. Incidents of stone throwing on buses were reported from Tondiarpet and Koyambedu.
Stalin calls up CM
Opposition leader M.K. Stalin on Saturday called Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami over telephone and urged him to bring to an end the transport workers strike as early as possible.
Though the Chief Minister listened to Mr. Stalin, he did not reveal the plans of the State government to resolve the crisis, a press release from Mr. Stalin’s office said.
He also urged the Chief Minister to hold talks with the striking transport unions in view of the crisis and the problems faced by commuters. Mr. Stalin also asked him to fulfil the demands of hike in wages and settle the arrears of retired employees, the release said.
Unions firm
“Whatever happens, we will not return to work until our demands are met,” said M. Shanmugam, general secretary of Labour Progressive Front, which along with 20 other transport employees’ unions, launched the indefinite strike from Thursday.
