Bus Conductors Neglect & Deny Commutation To Thanjavur Hospital Sanitation Workers, Sparks Protest

The sanitation workers commuting daily to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital faced rejection from bus conductors at the bus stand, both from the current and subsequent buses heading their way. This neglect led to their agitation and subsequent protest.

At Thanjavur Medical College Hospital, numerous personnel, including doctors, staff, nurses, and sanitation workers, are employed. Many of these workers hail from Thanjavur and its neighboring regions. They commute daily to work from Thanjavur Old Bus Station via government town buses that pass by the Medical College.

Each day, these workers operate in shifts and plan their commute according to their work schedules. Typically, over 50 sanitation workers gather at the old bus station around 6:30 AM to catch the morning bus bound for the medical college. Recently, however, they encountered a problem when attempting to board the town bus. The conductor, citing bus regulations, asked them to wait for the next bus, which resulted in frustration among the workers.

In response, the sanitation workers staged a sit-in protest, blocking the entrance of the bus station. This action disrupted the departure of buses heading to other destinations, inconveniencing numerous passengers. Santhanaraj, the manager of the Karanthai Transport Branch, was informed of the situation and arrived with the West Police to negotiate with the protestors.

During discussions, the women workers expressed their dissatisfaction with being denied boarding despite the bus being designated for free travel for women like them. They recounted instances of conductors disrespecting them over the free fare issue, which they found unacceptable. Their primary concern was the timely arrival at the medical college by 7:00 am, crucial for replacing night shift workers.

Following the intervention, Santhanaraj assured the protestors that steps would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. He urged them to end their protest and offered an alternative bus arrangement, which they eventually accepted. The workers dispersed after approximately 1.5 hours of protest, allowing the resumption of normal bus operations, although the incident caused considerable traffic disruption in the area and garnered significant attention.

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