Mumbaikars remain largely unaffected
The indefinite strike called by transporters nationwide from Friday, received a mixed response in Mumbai, with private buses ferrying children to school and on their usual office run in many parts of the city, though a number of trucks and heavy vehicles stayed off the roads right from the wee hours.
Mumbaikars did not face hardship on the first day of the strike as the supply of essential commodities remained undisturbed. The Maharashtra government had allowed passenger vehicles to ferry goods in the wake of the strike.
Demanding lower diesel prices and reduction in toll fees, the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) had called for an indefinite strike from Friday. The organisation claims to represent 93 lakh members and the strike announcement was formally declared on Tuesday.
The transport body is protesting against third-party insurance premium hike, existing toll collection policy, alleged corruption and harassment on roads, besides national permits for passenger vehicles.
“We met Union transport minister (Nitin Gadkari) regarding our demands. But the meeting with him was inconclusive. We will meet the finance minister (Piyush Goyal) at night for the same,” said Bal Malkit Singh, chairman, AIMTC core committee. Raman Khosla, president in-charge, Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Tanker Bus Vahatuk Mahasangh, said, "We have demanded reduction on the toll taxes which the road authorities have been taking for long. The cost of the roads are long-settled but they continue to charge exorbitantly. Commoners will be affected by the strike but it is a matter of survival for us as well." Khosla also added they want the traffic authorities to stop harassing drivers.
The School Bus and Company Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) of Maharashtra also extended their support to the nationwide truckers' strike. No less than 8,000 buses in Mumbai and 40,000 buses across Maharashtra are reported to be affiliated to the association.
“As a safety measure, we had abstained from bringing out school buses on road. Only the schools that have their own private buses were plying. Those running on the city streets do not come under us,” said Anil Garg, president, SBOA. Some schools had asked parents to arrange pick-up and drop for their wards.
The Maharashtra govt had allowed passenger vehicles to ferry goods in the wake of the strike. Demanding lower diesel prices and reduction in toll fees, the All-India Motor Transport Congress had called for an indefinite strike from Friday