BMTC strike: Karnataka’s state-run transport corporations, KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC, have announced a statewide indefinite strike as of today, August 5. This comes after unsuccessful talks with the government this week on the issue of a salary hike effective from January 2024. It has left residents severely affected as public bus services across the state have been hindered.

Karnataka transport strike: What’s open, what’s closed?

Buses were seen parked at the depots and only a few were spotted across the state. As the union did not pay heed to the court stay against the agitation, only a few drivers opted to work for the convenience of students and other essential services. With no overt updates on cancellations or delays, stranded passengers, many urgent travel plans, or emergency situations were left in the dark.

Due to the limited number of buses, the roads were flooded with huge crowds when the strike began. The four transport corporations, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) involved which went on strike, led to a heavy rush on metro stations, burdening the public transport.

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Bengaluru employees get work-from-home

To reduce the pressure on the city and manage the huge crowds flocking bus stands, IT firms in Bengaluru have asked their employees to work from home, local media reported. Regions like Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, Madikeri, Shivamogga, and Kalaburagi saw heavy passenger rush, with a huge crowd of stranded passengers struggling to find other ways to reach their destinations.

Why are the union workers on strike?

The Joint Action Committee of the Transport Unions claimed that the workers are demanding the payment of 38 months’ of pending salary, which amounts to more than Rs 1700 crore. Along with this, they also put forth a demand for 25% hike.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tried to level with them and offered a partial solution by offering Rs 718 crore, covering 14 months of arrears, following a 14% hike in March 2023.