Bus services across the State have come to a standstill ahead of the Ganesh festival, following an indefinite strike by trade unions representing Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The strike has led to a complete halt in operations at 35 out of MSRTC’s 250 bus depots statewide.
The Maharashtra State Transport (ST) Kamgar Kruti Samiti, the joint action committee spearheading the strike, is protesting over unresolved salary-related issues and other demands (msrtc strike). Despite negotiations with the state government, no agreement was reached, prompting the workers to take this drastic action.
The MSRTC, which operates a fleet of approximately 15,000 buses and employs around 90,000 workers, is a crucial component of the state’s public transportation network (msrtc strike). Known for ferrying over 6 million passengers daily, the MSRTC is often referred to as the “lifeline of Maharashtra.” The strike’s timing, coinciding with the Ganesh festival, adds to the public’s frustration, as it disrupts travel plans for many.
This is not the first instance of significant industrial action by MSRTC workers. In October 2021, a prolonged indefinite strike demanded parity with state government employees and the merger of the financially strained corporation with the state government (msrtc strike). That strike, which lasted several months, caused considerable inconvenience before the Bombay High Court intervened in April 2022, directing workers to resume duties.
The current strike highlights ongoing tensions between MSRTC employees and the state government, reflecting broader issues within the public transportation sector (msrtc strike). As the festival approaches, the immediate resolution of the strike is crucial to mitigate further disruption and ensure that the state’s transportation infrastructure can adequately serve its residents.