Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi (MS)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Apr 7: Government buses are not plying in Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi district in the wake of the state-wide protest called by government transport workers' union on Wednesday April 7.

The government bus station in Mangaluru wore a deserted look since morning. None of the drivers and conductors reported to duty on Wednesday April 7.

However, passengers are waiting in the bus stations hoping for the buses to start plying.

Mangaluru

Udupi

Some passengers are seen travelling by private buses. Heavy police presence is seen in all the government bus stands to prevent any untoward incident.

In Udupi, KSRTC buses did not get onto the roads on Wednesday in the wake of the state-wide bandh call given by the employees' union. All buses are parked in the depot.

There are 108 buses in Udupi depot. Everyday 55 buses from Udupi depot and 45 buses from Kundapur depot are operated. None of the buses were taken out from both Udupi and Kundapur depots.

Twenty-four buses of the depot that have gone to places like Belagavi, Bagalkot, Mysuru, Hubballi, Chamarajanagara, Chikkamagalur, Indi, Jamakhandi, Shivamogga and Bengaluru are expected to return to the depot by the afternoon on Wednesday.

KSRTC bus stations in the city is wearing deserted look. Private bus owners are ready to run the buses on empty routes. Tight police security is provided to Udupi depot of KSRTC.

It may be recalled, the state road transport corporations decided to indefinitely strike work from Wednesday after the state government’s refused to bring salaries on par with the 6th Pay Commission recommendations of around 1.30 lac employees of all state road transport corporations in Karnataka.