Kerala Private Bus Owners Announce Indefinite Strike from November 3

Palakkad: Private bus operators in Keralam have announced an indefinite strike from November 3, citing a severe financial crisis that has forced many services to be suspended. The joint action committee of bus owners, which met in Palakkad, called for the strike, alleging that the government had taken no steps to resolve the crisis.

Private buses across the state have incurred losses exceeding Rs 120 crore in just three months. More than 500 buses have been taken off the roads after their operators submitted G-forms to suspend services. Over 5,000 buses are operating only half their scheduled trips.

The owners said they had been unable to pay employees' salaries even during the Onam season. Financial institutions have also begun repossessing buses after operators defaulted on EMI payments for two to three months.

With the situation becoming increasingly difficult to sustain, the owners said they had no option but to launch an indefinite strike.