Chennai: State transport workers in Tamil Nadu withdrew their strike late last night and resumed services, giving the public much relief as Pongal festival is round the corner. Buses from Chennai plying to other districts had a good crowd going to their native places for Pongal.

A surprise holiday declared by the government for private establishments in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts today added to the crowd that was also seen in railway stations.

A special counter was opened at CMBT and additional services were launched.

An MTC spokesperson said that from 8 pm yesterday, services were operational. All passengers at depots in the city were able to travel. Outstation buses were plying from Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Saidapet and Tambaram. All staff reported for work, he added.

State Netaji Transport Workers Union joint secretary K Anbazhagan said, ‘We all have re-joined work. However, some had to return due to shortage of buses. Drivers who report for day and evening shifts too arrived for work. Vehicles had not been serviced over the week and mechanics were doing their work. At Anna Nagar depot, around 20 drivers returned and at Avadi 15 drivers and conductors could not resume duty.”

About the withdrawal of strike late yesterday, he said that it was owing to Pongal and unions did not want to put the public into difficulty. State transport workers in Tamil Nadu withdrew their strike late last night and resumed services, giving the public much relief as Pongal festival is round the corner. Buses from Chennai plying to other districts had a good crowd going to their native places for Pongal.

A surprise holiday declared by the government for private establishments in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur districts today added to the crowd that was also seen in railway stations.

A special counter was opened at CMBT and additional services were launched.

An MTC spokesperson said that from 8 pm yesterday, services were operational. All passengers at depots in the city were able to travel. Outstation buses were plying from Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Saidapet and Tambaram. All staff reported for work, he added.

State Netaji Transport Workers Union joint secretary K Anbazhagan said, ‘We all have re-joined work. However, some had to return due to shortage of buses. Drivers who report for day and evening shifts too arrived for work. Vehicles had not been serviced over the week and mechanics were doing their work. At Anna Nagar depot, around 20 drivers returned and at Avadi 15 drivers and conductors could not resume duty.”

About the withdrawal of strike late yesterday, he said that it was owing to Pongal and unions did not want to put the public into difficulty.