Commuters across Uttarakhand are likely to face significant travel disruptions as employees of the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) have launched an indefinite, statewide work boycott from today, October 30. The strike, called by the Uttaranchal Roadways Employees’ Union, includes a complete halt to bus operations in protest against several long-pending demands, including three months of unpaid salaries. The decision to launch the agitation came after a meeting between union representatives and Transport Corporation management failed to reach a consensus on Thursday. The meeting, chaired by Managing Director Reena Joshi at the corporation’s headquarters, continued for approximately three and a half hours but ended without a resolution. Unpaid Salaries, DA and Diwali Bonus Among Key Demands According to Ashok Chaudhary, General Secretary of the Uttaranchal Roadways Employees’ Union, employees have raised several demands, including: Immediate payment of three months of outstanding salaries. Release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA). Payment of Diwali bonuses. Expansion of the Uttarakhand Roadways bus fleet. Action against unauthorised private bus operators. Review and appropriate action regarding permits issued to illegally operating private buses. The union stated that the management’s failure to address these issues during Thursday’s meeting prompted employees to proceed with the indefinite strike. Around 70% of Bus Operations Likely to Be Affected The strike is expected to have a considerable impact on public transport services across the state. The union claims that approximately 70 per cent of the Transport Corporation’s buses are operated by employees affiliated with it. As a result, bus services on several routes could remain disrupted, particularly long-distance and plains routes. Passengers travelling between major cities and towns may experience delays, cancellations and difficulties finding alternative transportation. Employees Across Three Divisions Asked to Join Protest The Uttaranchal Roadways Employees’ Union has appealed to its members across the Dehradun, Nainital and Tanakpur divisions to participate actively in the statewide agitation. General Secretary Ashok Chaudhary has urged employees to remain united and support the protest until their demands are addressed. Strike to Continue Until Demands Are Addressed Ashok Chaudhary has maintained that the indefinite work boycott will continue until the union’s key demands receive a satisfactory response from the Transport Corporation management. Meanwhile, passengers across Uttarakhand are awaiting further developments and hoping for fresh negotiations between the management and employee representatives to restore normal bus services.
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