Minister's claims fall flat in his own constituency; not a single KSRTC bus operated from Pathanapuram depot, commuters left stranded

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar's assurance that KSRTC employees would not join the ongoing strike failed to hold ground even in his own constituency of Pathanapuram. Despite his statement during a press conference on Tuesday, union leaders confirmed shortly afterwards that KSRTC staff would take part in the protest.

Consequently, Attempts to operate three buses in the morning were thwarted by strike supporters, resulting in a brief confrontation. Police intervened and brought the situation under control. According to reports, KSRTC depots across the state remain non-functional.

In Kollam, tensions escalated when strike supporters reportedly entered a bus and verbally abused and assaulted a conductor who had arrived to begin service. The protestors allegedly targeted him for defying the strike call. Services, including those to Munnar and Ernakulam-Amrita from the Kollam depot, were blocked. Similar disruptions occurred at depots in Kottarakkara and Malappuram.

At Thampanoor Central Bus Station in the capital, protestors parked buses across exit routes to prevent services from operating. Though several employees reported to duty due to the ‘dies non’ declaration, they informed passengers that services would remain suspended unless police protection was provided — a condition reinforced by official directives to all depots.

The suspension of bus services caused significant hardship for commuters. In Thiruvananthapuram, the police stepped in to provide transport for passengers arriving at the railway station, including trips to the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC). While some private vehicles and auto-rickshaws were available, there were complaints of overcharging. Passengers alleged that some auto drivers demanded up to Rs 150 for short trips that would normally cost around Rs 30.

The strike brought much of Kerala to a standstill, closely resembling a statewide hartal. Shops and businesses, particularly in the capital, remained shut. Reports of verbal altercations between protestors and police have also emerged from multiple locations.