Vasai-Virar bus service halted during Ganeshotsav, thousands hit
Drivers and conductors of Vasai-Virar civic body's bus service went on strike over unpaid wages, stranding thousands during Ganeshotsav.
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The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation's transport service came to a halt again amid Ganeshotsav. Drivers, conductors and other staff began a work stoppage from Saturday, alleging they had not been paid their full salary despite working the entire month.
Not a single bus ran from the morning, causing significant hardship for people who had stepped out for Ganeshotsav shopping, as well as school children, elderly residents and thousands of commuters heading to work.
The corporation's transport department currently has 120 buses, of which 40 are e-buses. These buses make around 2,200 trips daily across 38 routes in the city, and 60,000 to 65,000 passengers travel on this service every day. The sudden halt in bus service directly affected the city's public transport system.
Drivers and conductors had also gone on strike earlier on August 11 over separate demands. The stir was withdrawn then after an assurance that a wage hike and other demands would be resolved.
But with the work stoppage resuming as soon as Ganeshotsav began, it is clear that the transport service's problems remain unresolved. With buses off the road, passengers had to rely on autorickshaws and private vehicles. Markets were already crowded with Ganeshotsav shoppers, and the halt in bus service added to people's difficulties.
Employees allege that even though expenses rise during Ganeshotsav, the contractor paid only half the month's salary instead of the full amount. Employees angrily asked how they were supposed to run their households if they were not paid in full, since they work the whole month and also have festival expenses for their families.
Transport manager Dhairyashil Jadhav said efforts were underway from the transport department to restart the bus service. He said the concerned contractor has been instructed to resolve employees' demands properly and restart the service immediately.
Depot manager Kiran Sherekar said the corporation is facing a fund shortage because payments for various schemes have not come in. He said employees have nevertheless been paid their salary, and talks are continuing with employees to find a way forward.
