Nationwide transport strike affects commuters of Kerala, Haryana; Bengaluru evokes lukewarm response

New Delhi, Aug 7: The 24-hour transport strike began on Thuesday, affecting normal life in several parts of the country including in Kerala, Haryana and Telangana.

The strike has been called against certain sections of the Motor Vehicle Act amendment which according to those protesting against it, seeks to divest states of certain powers to frame rules and place these with the Union Government.

The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha and is pending approval of the Rajya Sabha. If it is cleared, it promises to bring widespread changes to the old MV Act of 1988, including higher penalties, protection for good samaritans and stricter rules.

Passengers stranded, University exams postponed in Kerala

In Kerala, commuters faced trouble while commuting on Tuesday morning as Kerala State Road Transport Corporation joint trade union committee is on a 24-hour token strike.

All exams scheduled for Tuesday in the Kannur, Mahatma Gandhi and Calicut Universities. have been postponed. New dates will be announced later.

Bengaluru evokes lukeworm response

However, the nation-wide strike has so far evoked lukewarm response in Bengaluru.

BMTC and KSRTC buses are operating as usual as the major union KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation, which is affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), is staying away from the strike. The metro services have also not been affected.

App-based taxi operators like Ola and Uber as well other private cabs are also plying as usual. However, a few auto rickshaw drivers in the city are staying off the roads in support of the protest.

People stranded in Haryana

Nearly 4,000 buses in Haryana remained off roads, hitting inter-state and intra-state services. Employees under the banner of Haryana Roadways Karamchari Joint Action Committee have been holding protests at several places against the state government.

Metro keeps Hyderabad moving

With a majority of autorickshaws, city buses and cabs going off the road as part of a transport union strike, the Hyderabad Metro has come to the rescue of commuters in the city.