Hyderabad: The city mostly remained its bustling self during the bandh called by the TSRTC joint action committee (JAC) on Saturday. For most part, commercial establishments stayed open throughout the day.
Opposition activists held up traffic at various places for about an hour but it was business as usual later on. Many people, however, put off non-essential trips.
The RTC could run about 15 per cent of the fleet. At Falaknuma, only 11 out of 104 were operated in the morning. The bus termini including the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station at Imlibun were deserted. Taxi unions had joined the strikes but a few vehicles were seen plying on the roads.
The police had a busy day, making a total of 3,294 preventive arrests in the city, 786 in the city, 1,206 at Rachakonda and 1,302 at Cyberabad.
Among those inconvenienced by the transport strike were those who had come to write exams, including the preliminary test for IBPS Probationary Officer.
Twitter user Narsi Reddy, a resident of Khammam, said he did not know how to reach Hyderabad for the test in view of the transport strike.
Private vehicles were on the roads as usual. Autorickshaw drivers had a field day, cashing in on the shortage of vehicles.
Ms Sridevi from Neredmet paid Rs 150 for a trip from Neredmet to ECIL crossroads, which otherwise costs half that amount. Mr Phaneendra at KBHB Colony paid Rs 200 for a trip to SR Nagar.
Many residents postponed their Diwali shopping. Ms Kavita Reddy, a resident in Malkajgiri, said, “I was to go to General Bazaar at Ranigunj to shop for the festival but I am not able to move out.” She has put off shopping for Monday.
Political activists held protests were held across the city and were briefly detained. In the most notable incident, CPI (ML) leader Potu Rangarao lost his thumb during a protest at RTC crossroads. He claimed a policeman had shut the vehicle door on his thumb, severing it cleanly in the middle.
