Karnataka Bus Strike Today: Salary Arrears Protest Leaves 1 Crore Passengers Stranded

BENGALURU: Public transport across Karnataka came to a standstill on Tuesday after employees of the state’s road transport corporations launched an indefinite strike, defying a Karnataka High Court order. The protest, over long-pending salary arrears and wage revision demands, has left thousands of commuters stranded statewide.

Commuter Chaos Across Karnataka 🚍

In Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru, bus services were either suspended or severely curtailed. Visuals from major bus depots showed overcrowded platforms and long queues, while in Gadag, not a single NWKRTC bus operated out of its daily fleet of more than 500.

Private bus operators and cab aggregators reported a surge in demand, but passengers alleged steep overcharging by autorickshaws in urban areas. Many commuters expressed frustration, criticizing the state government for failing to resolve the dispute before services were disrupted.

Union Demands vs Government Offer 💰

The strike follows a collapse in negotiations between the Joint Action Committee of trade unions and the state government.

♦ Employees’ Demand: Clearance of 38 months’ salary arrears and a wage revision effective January 1, 2024.

♦ Government Offer: Settlement of only 14 months of dues, citing recommendations of a one-man committee.

KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation president H V Anantha Subbarao confirmed that unions were not satisfied:

“We want full 38 months’ arrears. The strike will continue until our demands are met.”

Court Order and Government Warning ⚖️

The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued an interim stay, urging unions to defer the strike to avoid disrupting essential public services. Despite this, workers pressed ahead.

In response, officials warned of disciplinary action.

♦ KSRTC MD Akram Pasha said a “no work, no pay” circular had been issued.

♦ BMTC MD R Ramachandran appealed to employees not to join the strike, stressing that BMTC provides essential services.

The court also questioned the government’s handling of the wage issue and expressed concern over the prolonged delay in payments.

Impact: 1.1 Crore Passengers Affected 🚦

With over 1.1 crore people relying daily on state-run buses — including 40 lakh commuters in Bengaluru alone — the strike’s impact has been severe. The government has drawn up contingency measures involving private operators to keep limited services running, though these remain insufficient.

Outlook ⏳

The strike has escalated tensions in the state, with no immediate resolution in sight. Whether the government will revise its offer or take harsher measures remains uncertain. For now, Karnataka’s public transport system is in disarray, and commuters face mounting challenges.