BMTC, KSRTC employees begin indefinite strike; bus services disrupted across Karnataka

Bengaluru: Transport services across Karnataka came to a near standstill on Tuesday as KSRTC(Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation), BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation), and other road transport corporation employees launched an indefinite strike, seeking clearance of pending salary arrears and implementation of a revised pay scale.

Despite a Karnataka High Court order directing workers to delay the strike, the employees refused to report for duty, causing inconvenience to lakhs of commuters who rely on government buses for daily travel.

The strike, which has affected almost all districts, saw widespread absenteeism by transport staff. In Bengaluru, BMTC buses were largely off the roads, especially in areas like Yeshwantpur. The state government, however, is attempting to minimise disruption by deploying alternative transport options. Measures include requesting 4,000 private buses for Bengaluru and 11,000 across the state, urging IT firms to allow employees to work from home, and increasing metro and intra-district railway services.

In several districts, authorities are using trainee staff, contract employees, and private operators to maintain limited bus services. In Chikkamagaluru, Chikkaballapur, Davangere, and Kolar, arrangements were made to run essential routes using private buses and vehicles. Emergency helplines have also been set up for public assistance.

The protest follows the failure of two rounds of talks between transport union representatives and the Karnataka chief minister. The unions are demanding clearance of all 38 months of wage arrears, whereas the state has offered to settle only 14 months based on a committee recommendation. The unions also raised concerns over the lack of commitment to implement wage revisions from January 2024.

KSRTC and BMTC officials have warned of disciplinary action, reiterating that transport services fall under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act. A ‘no work, no pay’ policy has been implemented, and all employees on leave have been asked to return immediately. The state is keeping private transport operators on standby should the strike prolong.