Udupi: The nationwide transport strike on Thursday, April 30 against the Road Safety Bill, 2014, has affected commuters in the district.
Most vehicles did not ply on the roads fearing any untoward incidents. Since the KSRTC City and service bus owners and workers declared their support to the protest, no city or service buses have been operating in the district. Bus stands are deserted. Life in the city is already paralyzed. Not many vehicles are seen on the roads today.
According to the police, security has been beefed up throughout the district as a precautionary measure. Strict surveillance is being done for the safety of the public.
A trade Union leader said that, the Bill seeks to take away the powers of the Road Transport Undertakings (RTU) to frame routes and will make them participate in a bidding process for routes framed by committees. This will create unhealthy and cut-throat competition which will increase accidents. The new law would also allow private operators to lease bus stands and use them for operations. The unions are asking for the bill to be held back until all stakeholders are taken into confidence and issues are discussed.