Transporters’ strike deferred by a week after protests in Mumbai

Mumbai: An indefinite strike by transporters, which was to begin from Thursday midnight, has been deferred for a week, with next date for strike to be annnounced on Monday.Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, after meeting CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday evening, appealed to transporters to reconsider the agitation in view of the ongoing budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature, the prevailing geopolitical situation and its potential impact on the economy, import-export consignments, as well as the ongoing examinations of students. The leadership of the transport fraternity reviewed the situation. Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde also made a video appeal urging transport unions to cooperate.
"We decided to defer the agitation by a week considering these appeals and assurances, and in the larger interest of the state," said a member of the Maharashtra Transport Action Committee.Earlier on Thursday, members of various transport unions staged protests at 16 places across MMR, including in parts of the eastern suburbs, on the Western and Eastern Express Highways, Navi Mumbai, Thane and near the coastal road, and 12 other cities in the state. Police dispersed the gatherings, booked a few cases and impounded some tourist buses, said union leaders. Transporters later assembled at Azad Maidan, reiterating demands.