Kerala - Kochi   

Bus stir affects normal life in city

Staff Reporter

Today's auto strike may add to the woes of commuters

PLIGHT OF COMMUTERS: Commuters using goods-carrier autorickshaw to reach their destination on the second day of the bus and lorry strike in Kochi on Tuesday. Photo: H. Vibhu

KOCHI : Tuesday, the second day of the strike called by private bus and lorry operators saw road rage leading to minor accidents. Commuters had a harrowing time travelling to their places of work. Traffic snarls added to the woes of the commuters. There was a decrease in business activity today.

The day also witnessed an increase in price of essential commodities, especially vegetables.

The worst hit were schoolchildren and women who had to jostle for space in crowded vehicles to reach their destinations. People were seen travelling on the footboards in most KSRTC buses and the few vehicles which conducted parallel service in the city.

Men and youth used tempos, goods autos and mini-lorries to reach their destinations. All the vehicles were overcrowded. People expressed concern over the availability of fuel and LPG cylinders in the wake of the ongoing strike.

With autorickshaw drivers on strike on Wednesday, commuters are likely to face more problems commuting.

With many boats of the State Water Transport Department under repair and the Irrigation Department not issuing licence to the department's fibre boats, islanders and residents of West Kochi are bearing the brunt of the strike.

Business dipped in hotels, shops and other establishments. People seemed to confine their shopping activity in the local areas. Most people avoided commuting along the arterial roads.

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