Pune: MSRTC Strike Called Off After Maharashtra Government Announces ₹6,500 Hike in Basic Salary

Drivers and conductors of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) ended their statewide strike on Wednesday following the state government’s decision to raise their basic salary by ₹6,500, effective from April 2020. The breakthrough came after a meeting between employee representatives and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Industries Minister Uday Samant, who was present at the meeting, said, “The government discussed the employees’ demands with the unions. They initially asked for a ₹7,000 hike, but the government agreed to a ₹6,500 increase, which they accepted and withdrew the strike.”

The decision was confirmed in an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, marking an end to the two-day strike that had severely impacted bus services across the state.

Fare Hikes Amid Strike

On the second day of the strike, private bus operators in Pune took advantage of the situation by raising fares by nearly 50 percent. The hike caused significant inconvenience to passengers, especially those traveling for the upcoming Ganesh festival on September 7.

A regular passenger traveling from Pune to Pathri reported that his usual fare for an AC bus, which is typically around ₹700, had soared to ₹1,600. Fares for non-AC buses had also doubled, from ₹600 to ₹1,400.

Karan Damble, a student from Satara, shared a similar experience. He booked his ticket two days prior, paying ₹600, double the regular fare of ₹300. “This was pure exploitation of passengers,” he said.

Impact of the Strike

The strike, initiated by 11 trade unions across Maharashtra, disrupted transportation services throughout the state, including in Pune. The unions had demanded equal pay for drivers and conductors, aligning their salaries with those of state government employees in the same grade, among other issues.

On the second day, 96 depots across Maharashtra were completely shut, up from 63 on Tuesday. While Pune’s depots were not fully shut down, the strike's impact grew by 10 percent compared to the first day.

MSRTC Divisional Controller Pramod Nehul stated that three previously closed depots partially resumed operations on Wednesday, and the Shirur and Daund depots were fully operational.

The resolution of the strike brought relief to commuters who had been facing travel difficulties due to the lack of bus services and the surge in private bus fares.