Minister justifies KSRTC employees’ strike, Pappanamcode depot to be disinfected

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Transport Minister A K Saseendran justified the strike staged by KSRTC employees of the Pappanamcode depot. Safety issues raised by the employees will be solved. Adequate security will be provided for those on COVID duty. A special cabin will be set up for drivers in buses and asked the employees on strike to withdraw it.

A decision has been taken to disinfect the Pappanamcode depot confirmed of COVID. The depot has been closed for two days. The depot will open after disinfecting it. The second level contact list includes a number of people, including employees. The hotels from where the driver had food will be disinfected and if required will close it.

The employees complain of serious lapse from the side of KSRTC for not providing security even after the driver of Pappanamcode depot contracted the disease. Thy alleged that the room, buses and depot used by the ill driver were not disinfected. They also stated that the authorities did not enquire the details of the quarantined conductor who was with the driver.

The employees of the depot are on strike for not providing them masks and sanitizers and for not disinfecting the buses. They are on strike from this morning and no services operated from the depot. Many of the employees did not reach the depot for duty. The driver of Pappanamcode depot and a native of Thrissur were confirmed of the virus yesterday.