More than 3,000 of the nearly 6,000 buses remained off the roads, according to figures cited by the union. New Delhi: The strike by DTC bus drivers continued Thursday, leaving commuters across Delhi struggling to find public transport.
Bus operations were affected by nearly 80%, according to the protesters. Pitampura resident Dinesh Srivastava said, “They are asking Rs 150 to go to the Metro station, which otherwise costs Rs 50. Union general secretary Manoj Sharma said more than 5,000 buses out of the DTC fleet of over 6,500 had been affected. The union has sought daily remuneration of Rs 2,000 for drivers, conductors and employees, medical facilities for drivers and conductors, annual bonus, payment for govt holidays, CL and EL, insurance cover, and equal remuneration for equal work.
“It has been more than an hour, but no bus is coming,” he said. Priyam Sejwal, a resident of Lado Sarai, said she failed to get a bus in the morning and had to take an auto to reach her college. A few buses that had been operating in the past two days were allegedly stopped by protesting drivers at some places, according to sources. He said the strike would continue until the demands were addressed and an official order is issued. Transport minister Pankaj Singh said medical insurance had been agreed upon and coverage for family members was being considered. He also said four days off should be provided.
Drivers also held demonstrations and raised slogans at several depots. At Khanpur, Saurav Burman, a commuter, waited for more than an hour for a bus. He eventually took an auto rickshaw to the Metro station. Commuters also complained of higher fares being charged by auto drivers. The strike was called by the DTC Karamchari Ekta Union. Drivers working with private operators running buses under the transport department’s fleet began the stir Monday. In some cases, the drivers allegedly had black paint applied to their faces. A proposal on salary hike had been sent to the labour department, he added.