Private bus operators in Tripunithura area will launch an indefinite strike on Monday. The agitation is in protest against the deplorable condition of the roads in Vaikom and Thiruvankulam Junction, which has been creating immense difficulties in the smooth running of the buses on the route, they said.
The bus owners said that though the authorities promised to complete the repair work on the stretches more than a month ago, the majority of the roads in the area still remain in a sorry state.
“This increases the traffic congestion in the area and buses are unable to maintain their time schedule and hence we suffer losses. Moreover, the people are also supportive of the strike this time, as the poor state of the roads is an issue that affects them too. We are hoping that the authorities concerned take immediate action to rectify the situation and prevent hardships for commuters,” the bus operators said.
More than a hundred private buses plying along the Ernakulam-Tripunithura route will remain off the roads during the strike. Meanwhile, Tripunithura municipal chairman Venugopal said that they have informed the private bus operators that the repair work of the roads will be completed at the earliest.
“The tender procedure in this regard has already been completed. Due to the incessant rain, the Public Works Department has been unable to commence the tarring works on the road. However, the PWD has assured us that they will complete the repair work of the Vaikom road as soon as possible. Also, the work on the 500-metre stretch of the Thiruvankulam junction will be completed by the National Highway Authority of India soon,” he said.
He added that a detailed report in this regard has been submitted before the District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth. “Based on the submitted report, the Collector will conduct a meeting with the private bus operators soon,” he said.