Normal life was affected early today in three nearby districts with around 90 per cent buses staying off the roads as part of an indefinite strike. A few unions of the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport have called the strike for implementation their charter of demands which include arrears for retired employees.

Disappointed commuters were found in several bus bays as even the very few private buses plying were overcrowded leaving them waiting for hours together.

Long distance buses stopped services from yesterday evening itself and there were allegations that private buses were charging double fares.

About 90 per cent of the 1,140 buses in the 22 depots in the district did not ply as also the nearly 200 in the Tirupur depots and the 300 in the depots in the Nilgiris.

The situation was no different in Pollachi and Mettupalayam where only private buses were on the roads.

The district administration in Nilgiris made arrangements of mini buses to transport passengers to Mettupalayam, police said.

A few of the drivers and conductors on strike were arrested in Udhagamandalam when they attempted to enter the bus stand, police said.