TSRTC bandh across Telangana today

TSRTC staff who are on an indefinite strike will observe a State-wide bandh on Saturday. Various political parties, government employees, professionals and civil organisations have extended their support to the bandh call. The State government has made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents.

On Friday, the TSRTC strike reached the 14th day as the RTC staff apart from political parties such as BJP and the Left parties, along with advocates, students and others held motorcycle rallies in different parts of the State. Protests were staged in front of various depots in the districts. Osmania University postponed the undergraduate examinations for some courses which were scheduled to be held on Friday and Saturday in view of the strike. Though the TSRTC management operated over 6,000 of 10,600 buses from its fleet, people in some parts of the State continued to suffer on account of the strike.

The TSRTC staff have been on strike since October 5, seeking the State government to resolve their 26 demands, including merger of TSRTC with the government.

Meanwhile, on the 14th day of RTC strike, the RTC management continued to put in place alternative arrangements for the convenience of passengers.

On Friday, as many as 6,606 buses were operated across the State which included 4,623 RTC buses and 1,983 hire buses. In Hyderabad region, 908 buses were operated and 353 buses plied in Ranga Reddy region till 6 pm, according to



officials.

The RTC strike which commenced on October 5 was a major challenge to authorities as 48,000 employees were off their duties and they have to provide bus services to passengers at any cost. “We are making all the arrangements and alternatives every day to offer smooth public transport services to the passengers,” said a senior official.

Authorities have been roping in temporary drivers and conductors and making efforts to increase the bus fleet by each day. With complaints on passengers being fleeced with exorbitant fares, a total of 1,690 ticket issuing machines were provided on Friday.

Protests continue to take place across the city in support of the strike. Several student union leaders, political parties and employees carried out rallies, staged dharnas and agitations at various bus depots and other places in the city.

At Bus Bhavan, advocates too joined the protests and raised slogans in support of RTC demands. JAC leaders who were taking out rally from Sundarayya Vignana Kendram to Bus Bhavan were arrested and taken into preventive custody

CAB DRIVERS STRIKE

Adding to the woes of people in Hyderabad city, the Telangana State Taxi and Drivers JAC (TSTD JAC) announced its decision to go on strike from Saturday seeking redressal of their demands including a fare hike from Rs 12 to Rs 22 per km. The JAC comprises about 50,000 Ola and Uber cab drivers along with drivers working for IT companies.