The nationwide strike by transporters on Thursday in protest against Road Safety Bill proposed by the Centre evoked partial response in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as most of the vehicles seen plying as usual.
With the state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) avoiding the protest, many of the thoroughfares saw some protests by auto rickshaws, cabs, trucks which went off the road. Some of the Left parties’ trade unions staged protests at RTC offices in both the Telugu States. They shouted slogans against the Centre for taking up anti-workers policies.
CPM’s CITU staged a dharna at RTC Crossroads, opposing the proposed hefty increase in the penalties. CPI’s AITUC, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) and other trade unions also staged protests at various places demanding withdrawal of the bill. Though there was some impact of the stir in Khammam and Nalgonda, vehicular traffic was normal in Karimnagar, Nizamabad and other towns.
In Andhra Pradesh, the stir had some impact at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kadapa and other areas. (NSS)
