The private bus strike called in the city from Friday, protesting against the deplorable condition of roads, has been postponed.
“This follows an assurance given by District Collector Sheikh Pareeth that the PWD, NHAI, Kochi Corporation and municipal bodies would repair potholed stretches. He said that temporary restoration works would be done wherever roads have become unmotorable because of inferior construction and half-hearted repair works. He also promised action against officials responsible for the pathetic state of roads,” said M.B. Satyan, general secretary of the Ernakulam District Private Bus Operators’ Association.
Bus owners had given the strike call since buses were suffering damage after plying through severely-potholed roads. Moreover, trips had to be curtailed because of the time wasted in passing through these roads, while bus crew complained of ill-health due to regular service through back-breaking roads.
