City unaffected by nationwide strike

The nationwide strike called by labour unions on Tuesday had little impact on the city. Prajakta Chavan reports.

The nationwide strike called by labour unions on Tuesday had little impact on the city.

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The public transport system remained undisrupted as autos, taxis, buses and trains continued to function normally throughout the day.

“No damage to buses or any inconvenience to commuters was reported,” said NA Walwalkar, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), public relations officer. “However, we took precautions and put up meshes on windows. Air-conditioned buses that were not started in early morning started functioning by 7am.”

Taxi and autorickshaw unions also continued to ply as usual as they had not participated in the strike. “Commuters weren’t inconvenienced as our services weren’t disrupted,” said AL Quadros, Mumbai Taximens Union leader.

Shashank Rao, assistant general secretary, Mumbai Autorickshaw Men’s Union, said, “The autorickshaw services were normal.”

The railways services, which are the city’s lifeline, also remained unaffected with trains running on schedule, said V Malegaonkar, chief PRO, Central Railway. When contacted, Uday Patwardhan from Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh said, “We are happy our strike didn’t affect the common man. Our overall aim of Tuesday’s agitation was that public shouldn’t be disturbed.”

All central trade unions went on strike to demand better working conditions.