The NWKRTC staff strike paralysed public transport in Belagavi district of Karnataka on August 5.

Most of the buses that were coming from outside arrived at the bus stand. But no bus, either city bus or inter-district or inter-State, left the bus stand in the morning.

A large number of passengers, including women, children and elders, were left stranded in the bus stand. Those waiting included some students who were heading to various colleges.

Officials said that most of the 1,450 routes in Belagavi and Chikkodi divisions were cancelled. Most of the 4,300 staff did not turn up for work. Some members of the KSRTC staff and workers’ union gathered in front of the central bus stand and the satellite bus stand near the railway station.

A team of police officers were deputed for security duty in the bus stand. They were seen talking to commuters who were complaining that they were unable to travel due to lack of buses.