A statewide transport strike in Karnataka, initially scheduled to begin on August 5, 2025, has faced a last-minute intervention by the Karnataka High Court. Employees of the four state-run transport corporations – KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC – had planned an indefinite strike to demand salary revisions, payment of arrears, and resolution of other long-pending issues.
The strike was expected to cause widespread disruption to bus services across both urban and rural areas, affecting lakhs of commuters who rely on these services daily. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of trade unions of KSRTC had called for the strike, citing demands including a 25% pay hike effective from January 1, 2024, settlement of pending salary arrears for 38 months (January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023), and a wage revision to be in effect for four years (from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027).
In response to the impending crisis, the Transport Department had requested private bus operators to support public mobility during the strike, aiming to maintain connectivity and prevent a complete transport standstill. The state government also explored the possibility of temporarily hiring private auto, taxi, and minibus services for public use. Furthermore, IT companies in Bengaluru were requested to approve work-from-home arrangements for their employees to reduce traffic congestion.
However, in a significant turn of events, the Karnataka High Court issued an interim stay on the strike on August 4, following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by concerned citizens. The court directed the transport employees to call off the strike for at least one day, citing concerns about the disruption it could cause to the public and adjourning the matter for further hearing on August 5. The court noted that the strike could significantly impact daily life and potentially violate citizens' fundamental rights.
Despite the High Court's order, leaders of the transport workers' unions stated that they would review the order before deciding on their next course of action. Earlier talks between the trade unions and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had failed to produce a resolution, with union leaders refusing to withdraw the strike.
The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further negotiations or legal challenges. The High Court's intervention has provided temporary relief to commuters, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a long-term solution can be found to avert future disruptions to Karnataka's transport services.
