Tamil Nadu bus strike continues: Eight days of misery for commuters

Hundreds of commuters struggled to reach places in Tamil Nadu as the indefinite strike called by transport unions, demanding a pay hike among other things, entered the eighth day on Thursday.

Hundreds of commuters struggled to reach places in Tamil Nadu as the indefinite strike called by transport unions, demanding a pay hike among other things, entered the eighth day on Thursday. (Express Photo | P Jawahar) 

Though the transport department has roped in temporary drivers to resume services in the state, the fleet of buses has not been running at its maximum capacity. (Photo | EPS)

Earlier on Sunday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president MK Stalin urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy to initiate talks with transport employees and take suitable actions to end the ongoing strike in the state. (Photo | EPS)

Transport workers have been demanding for a pay revision to Rs 30,000; however, the authorities have only agreed to pay them Rs 24,400 per month. (EPS | K.K. Sundar)

On its third day, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijayabaskar had appealed to bus employees to return to work. The strike, following the failure of talks on wage revision and clearance of pending dues with Vijayabaskar, was declared on last Thursday. (EPS | Sunish P Surendran)

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the allotment of Rs. 750 crores of funds to pay the arrears of retired transport workers at the assembly on Wednesday. IN PIC: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami (Photo | PTI)

However, transport unions said the chief minister's announcement is no way near to their demands and remained firm to continue the strike. (EPS | Sunish P Surendran)

Uncertainty loomed large over advance booking of tickets for special buses for 'Pongal' which normally commences ahead of the harvest festival on January 14. (EPS | Sunish P Surendran)

Meanwhile, the Southern Railway ramped up services to accommodate the extra rush due to the ongoing strike by the workers affiliated to some transport unions, who have rejected the wage hike proposed by the government. (Photo | EPS)

As many as 17 trade unions had launched the indefinite strike since Thursday night, with scores of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) staff joining the protest. (Photo | EPS)