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Nation stifled by transport strike for second consecutive day

Transport entrepreneurs continued their indefinite strikes across the nation on the second day Tuesday, throwing normal life in the newly declared republic out of gear.

The transport entrepreneurs kept public vehicles off the streets across the nation protesting government decision of a 25-percent increase in the public transport fare.

Subsequently after hike in prices of petroleum products, the government had decided to increase public transport fare by 25 percent. However, the transporters have demanded at least 35 percent hike in fares.

Meanwhile, thousands of passengers were stranded across the nation as both short and long route public vehicles stayed off the streets on Tuesday.

In Kathmandu valley and the surrounding districts however, it has been four days that the public vehicles have stayed off the streets. Due to this, the usually vehicle clogged streets of Kathmandu wear almost a deserted look.

The transporters have even been blocking traffic from yesterday and at some places vandalising private vehicles on charges of violating their strike.

Similarly, only motorcycles were seen plying in the Pokhara-Mugling section of the Prithvi Highway today as buses and other vehicles stayed off the road because of the strike.

Adding to the woe, the Nepal Petroleum Dealers' Association has also stopped selling/distribution of petroleum products from all petrol stations in Kathmandu valley from yesterday protesting government's inability to ensure an easy supply of petroleum products despite the hike in its prices. Due to this less number of private vehicles are plying in the capital's roads than on normal days.

Meanwhile, the government and transport entrepreneurs are again holding talks at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management today after failing to reach understanding over transport fare hikes yesterday.

The meeting between the government and representatives of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs' National Federation (NTENF) had ended with no breakthrough yesterday, as both sides remained adamant on their respective stance. nepalnews.com ag Jun 24 08