The dawn to dusk hartal called by the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front (UDF) against rising fuel prices was complete in the district with public transport remaining off the roads completely, and educational institutions, shops and establishments remaining closed.
UDF took out a bullock cart rally through the heart of the city with opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala leading the rally, which started from KPCC Junction and concluded at High Court Junction.
Earlier, inaugurating the protest, Mr. Chennithala lambasted the arrogance of the Central government for having hiked the fuel price even on the day a Bharat Bandh was being observed against the spiralling prices. He didn’t spare the State government either as he accused it of not supporting the demand to bring fuel under the Goods and Service Tax foregoing the increased tax revenues.
Nearly 1250 private stage carriers were missing from the roads, along with KSRTC buses putting travelling public through much hardship. Vytilla Mobility Hub, and the private and KSRTC bus stands wore a deserted look. However, private vehicles were out in numbers on the roads.
Volunteers of the organisation Say No to Hartal offered some respite to passengers reaching the two railway stations in the city. Leading industrialist Kochouseph Chittilappilly also turned up at the south railway station in a show of solidarity to their service.
“Twenty of our volunteers have been deployed with cars at the south railway station and five at the north station from 7 a.m. They are operating services to various parts of the city and suburbs including Kakkanad, Kalamassery, Aluva, Palluruthy, Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Tripunithura etc. Our service will be available till the hartal ends,” said Raju P. Nair, general convener of the organisation.
However, the number of vehicles was proving insufficient as the demand continued to far exceed the supply. With hotels and restaurants remaining closed, the railway canteen remained the sole source of meals for the travelling public.
Infopark recorded an attendance of around 55 to 60% with the rest given the option to work from home. Transportation facilities were arranged in a police convoy for IT employees from Palarivattom to Infopark in the morning.
Majority of offices in the civil station remain closed with the attendance rate plummeting way below the 50% mark. The district administration, however, had made arrangements for the smooth operation of relief works. District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla had ordered on Sunday that government employees associated with relief works should turn up for duty on Monday without fail.