Deserted Mor Bhavan showcasing impact of the strike by contractual workers of city bus service, on Thursday. (Pic by Anil Futane)

 

 

Mor Bhavan, that is always teeming with commuters throughout the day, wore a deserted look on Thursday, as city buses were off the streets owing to a strike called by contractual workers of Aapli Bus service of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Similarly, Sitabuldi area which remains choked throughout the day, was having wide space as the majority of the buses remained off the road. The strike had a crippling effect on the city transport service as thousands of commuters faced hardships. Although the service Nagpur Metro provided some solace as citizens quickly switched over in absence of city buses. With start of Navratri, the rush on the streets was further added due to strike which was near total. About 300 buses ply on city road on daily basis accounting for transportation of nearly 1.50 lakh commuters. However, failed negotiations between NMC and three unions of agitating workers left the citizens sandwiched. Regular commuters by city bus were left in lurch as the strike resulted in buses remaining parked at their respective depots as the striking employees did not report for work.

 

Barely 20 to 25 buses were seen plying on city roads, leaving students and office goers in jam. Meanwhile, the autorickshaws made brisk business in absence of city buses on the road and taking advantage also jacked-up rates. Some of the education institutions had given holiday and hence there was lesser number of vehicles on the road. With employees sticking to their stand that till there demand are not met with, the strike would continue, said Vivek Wankhade, District President, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (Mathadi) and Rakesh Ghosekar, City President, VBA, Mathadi, said since NMC administration did not take steps to call for talks the strike would continue. The unions of contractual workers, General Kamgar Union aligned to BMS and other to VBA and third one Lalbawta Vahatuk Kamgar Union (CITU) has reiterated their demands and said till they are accepted the strike would continue. As rush would increase from second day of Navratri, the absence of buses on city roads could increase problem for commuters