GUWAHATI: Commuters in Guwahati had a harrowing time commuting to their offices and other destinations as private city buses kept off the roads during the Bharat Bandh called by various trade unions.
However, buses run by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are plying normally providing much-needed relief to the commuters.
“I could not reach work at time and had to walk 5 kilometers as there were no private buses along the Panjabari route,” a daily commuter said, adding that very few ASTC-run buses ply in the route.
On the other hand, majority of the commercial establishments other than those dealing in essential services remained closed.
Meanwhile, most of the private schools in Guwahati also declared a holiday in view of the trade union strike.
Trade unions had called for the general strike or ‘Bharat Bandh’ to protest “anti-labour policies” of the government.
The trade unions taking part in the strike include the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC).
