3 min readChandigarhJul 20, 2012 02:09 AM IST
First published on: Jul 20, 2012 at 02:09 AM IST
Transport in Chandigarh came to a virtual stand still,when the Chandigarh Transport Unit (CTU) workers went on a two-hour strike in Sector 17 bus stand. Around 150 members of the CTU Worker’s union including bus conductors,workshop operators and drivers all came together to protest against the lethargy of UT Transport officials.
The strike lasted for two hours from 12 noon to 2 pm.
However,daily commuters and onlookers of protest were not impressed. Rajendar Kumar,a clerk in Base Building said,“I travel here from panchkula via bus every day. However,no buses will operate for the next two hours. I’ll have to wait or go via auto.”
Sangeeta,a housewife and resident of Manimajra too had to face the glaring sun and humidity while standing idle at the bus stand,“After doing my household chores,I had come to do some shopping. However,I chose the wrong time. Even the autos are not ready to go to Manimajra.”
“If only it wasn’t so hot,I wouldn’t have cursed the strike so much.” said a frustrated Richa,who was on her way home from tutions.
The CTU Workers’ Union presented a series of demands regarding their overtime work’s salaries which had been pending for long,commuters bit their lips at their own ill luck.
“This time it has been two hours,but if our demands are not fulfilled soon,it will be for five hours on August 14,” said an angry Bhupinder Singh,President of CTU Worker’s Union.
“Last year,Rs 2.5 crores had been given to the UT government to replace the buses which were due replacement. Then another 45 crore rupees were given by the center,for replacement of buses. However, implementation of these plans has been nil. We have 96 buses pending replacement,” he added.
Sukhwinder Singh a Conductor of route 71,said,“We used to have,4 people assigned for a day on a route-two as drivers and other two as conductors. However,since we have a huge vacancy of 250 conductors and around 150 drivers,we have only one conductor and one driver assigned for the entire day. So,now buses available to the public are for a much shorter while.”
Union workers further demanded that better uniforms and rain coats be provided to them. They also,demanded that the government should look into the matter of a planned auction of the old buses and scrap material.
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