The transport strike, which has already paralysed the city and the State for the past four days, is set to continue as the deadlock persists between the State government and the transport trade unions affiliated to Opposition political parties on Monday. People would have to endure more pain, with the State Transport Department and the trade unions not willing to budge from their positions.
Trade union leaders point out that with the State government in no mood to change its position, the transport workers would continue their stir until their demands are met fully.
A. Soundararajan, a transport union leader affiliated to the CITU, said the State government had not made any moves to call the opposing trade unions for any talks, and so it had been proposed to continue the strike indefinitely.
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The only saving grace for the people has been the suburban rail network, which has helped in easing the difficulties to a great extent by operating special trains even on Sunday.
Southern Railway said it would be operating 30 special suburban train services on all sections from Tuesday.
A senior official of the Southern Railway said that from Tuesday onwards 30 special suburban trains would be operated until further notice.
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The Southern Railway would be operating four pairs of special services on the MRTS section between Velachery and Chennai Beach and vice-versa.
The specials from Velachery would be operated at 9.55 a.m., 11.45 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3.15 p.m. Similarly, a special from Chennai Beach would run at 10.50 a.m., 12.35 p.m., 2.20 p.m. and 4.10 p.m.
Similarly, nine electrical multiple units (EMU) specials would be operated from Chennai Beach to Tambaram/Chengalpattu and nine special trains from Moore Market Suburban complex to Thiruvallur and Gummidipoondi.
The Southern Railway has been chipping in by operating 670 suburban services on all the four sections, including the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), till Sunday.
Repair work put off
A senior official of the Southern Railway said repair work on the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) between Chennai Beach and Velachery had been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday but taking into consideration the indefinite bus transport strike and the hardship it would pose to the commuters, it was put off and regular services were operated on Sunday.
The Chennai Division of Southern Railway also opened additional ticketing counters to prevent long queues.