Bus strike in Pondy hits students, office goers

Puducherry, Jul 21 (UNI) Office goers and students in Puducherry, especially those from rural areas, were badly affected today as private buses in the Union Territory remained off the road, due to a one-day strike called by the Private Bus Owners Association, demanding an upward revision in bus fares.

Association President Bharathi Kannan told newspersons that the bus operators in Puducherry were collecting the lowest fare of 23 paise per km. During the last six years, the deisel price had gone up to Rs 35.46 from Rs 16.80 and the price for spare parts had also increased. Even after several representations to the government, no action had been taken and the bus operators were forced to organise the strike.

Meanwhile, the administration increased the number of bus services by the Puducherry Road Transport Corproation by deploying inter-state buses, which had services only in the evening.

The Tamil Nadu Government was also requested to send more vehicles from Villuppuram Depot to Puducherry. Hiweverm hree-wheeler were plying as usual, which had reduced the sufferings of the passeangers to some extent.

Police have made adequate security arrangements in view of the strike.

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