Bus, Train Services in Mumbai Unaffected by Strike

Mumbai:  Transport services in Mumbai remained unaffected today, as suburban train services, autorickshaws and BEST city buses were operating normally despite the one-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions.

“Around 30 per cent taxis in Mumbai stayed off the roads due to the strike,” Anthony Quadros from Mumbai Taximen’s Union said. The Nitesh Rane-led Swabhiman Sanghatana union claimed it succeeded in getting maximum taxis off the road in Mumbai.

The city has around 38,000 taxis, of which close to 9,000-10,000 are believed to be affiliated to the Rane union.

General secretary of the federation of gazetted officers G D Kulthe said C and D category non gazetted government employees numbering ten to 11 lakh participated in the strike.

A and B class gazetted officers have supported the strike and have reported to work wearing black ribbons, he said.

There are 1.5 lakh gazetted officers in the state. As many as 10 central trade unions have gone on a day-long nationwide strike to protest against changes in labour laws and privatisation of PSUs. BJP-backed BMS and NFITU however stayed away from the strike.