Over 10,000 buses off the roads in Telangana

More than 10,000 buses operated by the state-run Road Transport Corporation stayed off the roads today following a one-day nationwide motor-vehicle strike called by transport unions to protest the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill.

Besides cancellation of bus services, auto services were also hit at several locations in the city causing inconvenience to office-goers, students and passengers arriving from different cities at railway stations here.

As part of the strike call, members of the Telangana Auto Drivers Union took out a rally from AITUC office in the city holding placards demanding immediate withdrawal of the MV Act Amendment Bill 2017.

Of the scheduled 11,269 buses of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), only 418 were operated, an official said.

Similarly, of the 2,820 and 2,212 buses in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad 2,787 and 2,186 buses respectively remained off the roads.

Commuters travelling packed in autorickshaws and some private buses were a common sight in Hyderabad.

The unions had called for a one day strike against 'regressive provisions' of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill and rise in prices of petroleum products.