Surat, Oct 23 - City bus drivers in Surat, working on a contractual basis, have been pushed to the brink as they continue to endure delayed salary payments. With the calendar reading the 23rd and the festive season around the corner, these drivers find themselves in a dire financial situation, unable to provide for their families. Frustration has mounted as they face continuous exploitation by contractors, leaving their wages unpaid. In a dramatic protest against these injustices, city bus drivers converged near the Sachin station, effectively parking their buses from that route and severely disrupting the entire timetable.
Since noon, the drivers have halted their buses at the last bus stand on the Sachin route. Their demand is clear: they will not resume driving until they receive their overdue salaries. This standoff also highlights the role of the Deputy Commissioner of Surat Municipality and responsible officers in addressing this matter. Allegations of negligence in attending to these issues have been made, leading to accidents and the revelation of technical glitches along the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) route. Contract workers within the Mass Transport Department bear the brunt of these exploitative practices.
Former councilor Dinesh Kachhadia, who visited the scene after receiving a passenger's distress call, expressed his concerns over the passengers' inconveniences. Kachhadia discovered that the drivers had not been paid their salaries for the past two months. These drivers, who play a vital role in supporting their families, particularly during festivals like Diwali, find themselves in a precarious situation. He called upon the Municipal Commissioner to swiftly resolve the issue and ensure the drivers receive their due salaries promptly, preferably before the 10th of the month.
