Indefinite transport strike in Kolkata begins

Kolkata, July 24 (ANI): Private transport operators went on an indefinite strike here from today in protest against a High Court order asking to phase out all vehicles which are more than 15 years old.

The strike includes private buses, minibuses and autorickshaw operators. They went on strike after their meeting with the West Bengal Government on a High Court order failed to reach any conclusion.

People were seen waiting for state-run buses to reach the airport, Howrah and Sealdah railway stations.

According to reports, trains, underground metro and the government-run ferry service from Howrah station were running normally.

Some auto-rickshaws were also seen plying on shorter routes. The Kolkata High Court had passed an order on July 18, 2008 asking the State Government to ban all public vehicles like buses, mini buses and lorries which had crossed 15 years from registration.

The State Government has recently decided to implement the High Court order, which was opposed by the 19 organisations of transport operators. (ANI)