Title - Kumbh pilgrims face woes

Pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh mela faced a tough time on Wednesday due to the strike by central trade unions which brought movement of Uttar Pradesh roadways buses to a standstill.Despite charging exorbitant rates, private buses were seen overcrowded with pilgrims while taxis ferried stranded passengers.There were also longerthan-usual queues at railway station ticket counters as people looked for alternative modes of transport on account of the non-availability of state roadways buses.Half-a-dozen bus terminuses, which have been witnessing movement of thousands of vehicles every day during the Kumbh, wore a deserted look with security personnel deployed in strength to tackle any flare-up between desperate passengers and resolute roadways employees who have extended their “full support” to the nation-wide strike.Pilgrims could be seen standing for hours or trudging several miles, with their belongings in search of a bus or taxi, which charged exorbitant rates. — PTI