The DTC bus strike in Delhi entered its third day on September 17, affecting bus services across the capital and creating difficulties for daily commuters. Drivers and conductors working on Delhi Transport Corporation buses are protesting over wages, allowances, medical facilities, and other employment-related demands.
The strike began on 15th September and has disrupted many bus routes and depots. The shortage of buses has led people to opt for the Delhi Metro, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and cabs.
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| Wazirpur Bus Depot Image Credit: Indian Express |
Why Are DTC Drivers and Conductors on Strike?
According to the DTC Karamchari Ekta Union, around 12,000 drivers and conductors are participating in the protest. The workers currently receive a daily wage of ₹862, which is the minimum wage fixed by the Delhi government. The union says the amount does not adequately reflect the responsibilities of trained and licensed drivers operating large buses on Delhi's busy roads.
The workers have demanded a hike in the minimum wage per day to Rs 2000. They have also made demands regarding payment during government holidays, annual bonuses, and improved social security benefits, which include health cover. The trade union has also been expressing its concern regarding the revision in dearness allowance, among others.
What Are the Main Demands?
The major demands raised by the protesting workers include:
- Increase in daily wages to ₹2,000
- Payment for government holidays
- Annual bonus
- Medical facilities
- Better social security benefits
- Revision of dearness allowance
- Resolution of other employment-related concerns
The workers have said that the strike will continue until their demands are addressed.
Delhi Bus Services Hit as Strike Continues
The ongoing Delhi bus strike has created problems for people who depend on buses for their daily travel.
At several locations, commuters have reported longer waiting times and fewer buses. Some passengers have had to use alternative modes of transport, with reports of higher fares for auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws and cabs in some areas.
The disruption has also affected people travelling to work, colleges, schools and other parts of the city. The situation was particularly visible at depots where buses remained parked while drivers and conductors continued their protest.
Delhi Metro Adds Extra Services
The DTC strike in Delhi has added pressure to the public transport system, and for this purpose, DMRC has adopted certain measures for managing the higher number of passengers. DMRC ran 20 extra trains on Wednesday, and further improved services have been scheduled for Thursday.
An additional eight trains were to run from 8 AM to 8 PM based on the demand for such services. These additional services have been considered to ease congestion among passengers due to the lack of buses.
Government Appeals to Workers to End Strike
Pankaj Singh, Transport Minister of Delhi, has appealed to the protesting workers to end their strike. He said that it had been instructed by the government had instructed the private concessionaires running DTC electric buses to deal with the concerns of drivers.
But the protesting workers have persisted with their strike, arguing that their demands have not been sorted out. The issue basically surrounds the contractual drivers and conductors working under the private agencies involved in the running of some DTC buses.
What Should Delhi Commuters Expect?
With the DTC bus strike ongoing, passengers using the services of this bus company are expected to suffer inconveniences until the matter is sorted out. Passengers using the DTC bus service will be forced to look for other means of transportation, including the Delhi Metro.
The Delhi Traffic Police has also issued an advisory asking commuters to plan their journeys because movement across the city may be affected by the ongoing drivers' strike. The duration of the disruption will depend on discussions between the workers, private concessionaires and the authorities.
Conclusion
The bus drivers and conductors’ strike in DTC Delhi is now entering the third day in its struggle for higher salaries and better employment benefits.
The employees are calling for a wage of ₹2,000 per day along with health benefits, paid holidays, bonuses and more. In the meantime, the government has pleaded with the strikers to stop and has requested that the private operators meet the demands of the drivers.
Due to problems with buses, the Delhi Metro has stepped up its services to accommodate the extra passengers. For the time being, people in Delhi will keep struggling with the ongoing strike.
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Author - Saurabh