Authorities must make citizen welfare top of agenda

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The trusty big red has started rolling on our roads, after considerable suffering by commuters thanks to a strike by employees of private bus operators contracted by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST). The strike was called off on Tuesday afternoon after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured them that demands would be fulfilled.

The seven-day strike resulted in 551 out of the 1,600 wet-leased buses provided by private operators going off the roads. While commuters are relieved that buses are back on the roads, seeing the hardship it is important that we do not look for band aid solutions to problems and actually look at a deeper discontent so that this does not recur.

The authorities now have to see that there is no divide between permanent employees and those contracted by the BEST. There has to be a concerted effort by authorities, union leaders, leadership within employees to create an atmosphere of amity and oneness. There must be a sense of pride even amongst the contracted workers, that they are part of a glorious tradition, one symbolised by these buses, which are more than buses.

While pride is one thing, to be pragmatic, we have to look at salary demands and just how this strike began. Those in charge have to work towards a permanent resolution through structure, addressing and resolving grievances and continual talks with employees permanent or private bus personnel so that communication channels are open and any problems addressed without delay.

In the eventuality of some kind of strike again, vigilance by authorities and strict action to ensure rickshaws and cabbies do not hold people to ransom should be part of the preparedness plan. Let us put citizen welfare on top of the priority pyramid.