The nation-wide strike called by the transport unions to oppose the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill did not affect the normal life in Salem and Namakkal districts on Thursday.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus services were operated as usual in Salem division.
The autorickshaws too plied in the city and in the rural towns as usual.
Police pickets were posted in the bus stands, near the bus depots, and at vulnerable points in both the districts.
Lorries and private trucks participated in today’s strike in good number.
According to K. Nallathambi, president of the State Lorry Owners Federation-Tamil Nadu, about 3.5 lakh lorries, 7,000 trailer lorries and 3.200 gas tanker lorries did not ply in the state in support of the strike.
About 90 per cent of the 32,000 lorries in the district did not ply on Thursday, said V. Chennakesavan, president, Salem District Lorry Owners Association.
The various features of the Bill would affect the lorry owners, drivers and cleaners, and a large number of people running mechanical shops, Mr. Chennakesavan said and demanded the Centre to withdraw the same immediately.
The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Federation too extended its support to the strike.
The members of the various left trade unions staged demonstration in front of the head post office near the old bus stand in the city on Thursday to protest against the proposed Road Transport and Safety Bill.
The members of the Lorry Owners Association, driving school personnel, tempo owners’ association, auto drivers association staged demonstration in front of the transport department office in Omalur town protesting against the Bill.
