Bandh: Trinamool runs counter-show

yields no results. This

time,we were able to ply taxis on the road like never before. However,at

some places,we could not help much as we had instructed out partymen not to clash with those who were enforcing the bandh,” said Madan Mitra,a Trinamool leader.

Trinamool MLA Swarnakamal Saha,who is also leader of a private bus syndicate,said,”We are against petroleum price hike but we do not support the bandh call. Autos ran freely today at some places. Some of the buses were also on the road. Those who chose not to run their vehicles did so out of fear that their vehicles will be damaged. CITU has lost control over the unions.”

In areas like Kankurgachi,Phulbagan,Rajabazar,Behala ,Jadavpur,Baguiati,Shyambazar Five-Point Crossing,taxis,autos and a few private buses were seen plying.A number of autos were seen plying in routes like Phulbagan-Girish park,Phulbagan-Mechua,Jadavpur-Tollygunje,Baguiati-Ultadanda,Esplanade-Lohapul and others. However,those who were plying charged higher than normal rates and were seen carrying seven passengers at one time. Taxi drivers too charged heavily,asking for double and triple the normal fare.Metro railways ran smoothly carrying over 3 lakh till 5 pm. On a normal day,it carries around 6 lakh passengers till 10 pm.Since the Lok Sabha elections,the Trinamool has been able to dent CITU’s supremacy in private transport unions forming its own parallel unions. In almost all auto,bus and taxi routes,the party now holds a good following.