The indefinite strike enforced by transport unions led by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and supported by State transport unions affected normal life for the second straight day with private commercial vehicles, including long-distance buses, remaining off the roads. The strike also impacted normal life in Assam with commuters facing lots of inconvenience following the absence of private buses and other transport vehicles.
Truckers are protesting the introduction of the e-way bill, exorbitant toll collection at plazas and including diesel in the goods and services tax (GST). A meeting of representatives from the All India Motor Transport Congress with Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday failed to resolve the impasse, a report by news agency ANI said.
Meanwhile, supporters of the shutdown burnt tyres at many places in Assam as vehicular traffic in the national highways and other streets was somewhat sparse. Only buses run by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) were seen plying.
#FLASH | Transporters' strike enters second day affecting normal life with private transport vehicles, including long-distance buses, keeping off the roads. Bandh supporters burn tyre on the national highway near Demow in Sivasagar district of #Assam pic.twitter.com/jyXzPfC1n1
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) July 21, 2018
“I have been waiting for a bus. But there are only a few available with majority of private buses keeping off the roads,” Tapan Sharma, a resident of Tinsukia, said.
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The strike had a somewhat mixed response in Guwahati. Although private city buses did not ply, ASTC busses were seen packed with commuters while private cab services made some quick money in the absence of the buses.
