Buses, autos to be off roads on Feb 20, 21

Bangalore, 19 Feb 2013 (DHNS): Citizens, especially commuters and schoolchildren, are in for a long haul and hardship on Wednesday and Thursday with the two-day nation-wide strike set to bring both bus and auto services to a grinding halt. 

 

While, buses and autos being off roads is bound to reduce pollution, citizens have to face an uphill task of trekking to their workplace, homes and other destinations. Else, face the prospects of forking out high sums to fleecing and opportune private operators.

 

According to Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) General Secretary A V Borashetty, employees of all four state road transport corporations, including KSRTC and BMTC, have extended support to the strike.

 

“We won’t attend duties between 6 am to 6 pm on Wednesday, February 20.Transport corporations have been severely hit by Rs 12 hike in diesel price and we have no way, but to resort to the agitation,” he said.

 

Nagaraj, President of the Auto Drivers’ Association, said no autorickshaw would ply on both days of the strike.  However, with schools and colleges dependent on BMTC buses for students’ transport, it is the concerned parents and their children who are likely to be hit hard by the INTUC’s strike.

 

“With semester system in place, classes for the season have begun just a month ago in many colleges. Even SSLC and PUC exams are scheduled in the near future. Frequent interruptions to teaching schedules will hit the academic activities,” said Principal, Seshadripura Degree College in Yelahanka.

 

However, seeing not only a god-sent business opportunity, but also earn, in the process, a bit of goodwill and brownie points of loyalty from the commuters, Ola cabs, a private cab service agency, has offered the public its services at autorickshaw fares on both days of the strike. The agency may be contacted on 33553355 (24 hours) in advance to avail of the facility.

 

Vehicle owners can heave a sigh of relief in that there won’t be any disruption to fuel bunks. “We have not taken any decision on participating in the strike. Petrol and diesel supply at bunks will be as usual,” assured Ravindran, President, Petrol Distributors Association.

 

BU exams postponed

Bangalore University has postponed the first semester post graduate examinations in view of the bandh. Exams scheduled for both these days will now be conducted on February 22. The registrar (evaluation) has said the other exams will be held as per schedule.

 

The VTU will function as usual. Vice-Chancellor Maheshappa said the semester exams were on and they would be held as per the time table. The university would function as usual on both days, he added.