Commuters blame govt for poor handling of MTC strike 

“Commuters normally hang on footboard during peak hours. On Monday, people were jostling on the platform to even inch closer to the train. I saw desperate people waiting on platforms after they failed to board the train. Many people were cursing the government for not solving the employees’ salary crisis till they hit the road,” said N Vivekanandan, an engineer who commutes daily between Nungambakkam and Sanatorium.

“At least railway authorities should have increased frequency and operated a few additional trains, but they did not do it either,” complained Mariam Mathew of Nanganallur who had to skip the regular service around 8.20 am to Nungambakkam due to overcrowding on Monday.

K Revathi, a daily wager from Ambattur, said that she was waiting for the bus at the Ambattur terminus for over one hour. “If they had announced about the strike, I would have made other arrangements to reach the work place at Kilpauk. Many people who can afford a cab are booking taxis. But those who cannot afford are forced to find a seat in the share autos which are running full,” she said.

DMK affiliated Labour Progressive Front Treasurer K Natarajan blamed the MTC management for the workers resorting to flash strike. “The management came forward to hold talks only after the workers resorted to the strike,” he said, adding that the MTC assured that no striking workers would be marked absent or any disciplinary action taken against them.