Over 1000 buses off roads in Pune Region covering 5 districts

Pune, Aug 2 (UNI) Around 1000 buses of the Maharashtra State Road and Transport Corporation (MSRTC) in Pune Region, comprising five districts -- Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur and Pune -- were off the roads protesting the introduction of Maxi Cab in the State, affecting the connectivity to rural areas.

The main bus terminuses at Swargate and Shivaji Nagar wore a deserted look. There are a total of nearly 17,000 buses with the state transport.

ST Workers Union president Hanumant Thate told UNI from Mumbai that the strike is indefinite and will continue till the state government withdraws the private maxi cab that has a seating capacity of 7-10 passengers. The strike has brought to a standstill bus traffic throughout the state and connectivity to rural areas has been affected, he said.

The government has taken the decision of introducing private players under pressure from various sections of society, including politicians and officials, only to pursue their own vested interests, he alleged.

The state transport has a very big network throughout the state and employs thousands of workers, who will face unnecessary hardship due to a decision taken by the Vilasrao Deshmukh government, he said.

''The government has shown utter disregard and lack of consideration for the thousands of employees and workers of the corporation. We are paid the least, even as our drivers and conductors take risks,'' Mr Thate said.

The strike will specially hamper school-going children, as well as the migrant labourers and people from rural areas going to their place of work, he said.

The Workers Union has alleged that the government has taken the decision of introducing private players under pressure from various section of society including politicians and officials only to pursue their own vested interests, he added.

UNI