According to Blueline bus operators, around one lakh vehicles, including three-wheelers, taxis, commercial vehicles and Bluelines operating under the Delhi Transport Corporation's km scheme, would stay off the roads tomorrow.

The Delhi Government has, however, assured that normal life would not be affected by the strike. Delhi Transport Minister Rajendra Gupta says, ``How can buses under the DTC go on strike? They have deposited Rs 10,000 with us. Over that, we owe them Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per bus. So, they really can't go on strike. If they do that, I will go on strike and never pay them.''

He insists that all the 7,000 contract carriages in Delhi and the inter-state buses would carry passengers tomorrow. ``All the unions of taxis and three-wheelers which came to us said that they will not join the strike,'' Gupta adds.

On the other hand, the Blueline bus union spearheading the strike, STA Nyay Panchayat, states that all the transport unions would join the strike.

The president of the union, Ramesh Dalal, says,``Around one lakh vehicles will not run tomorrow. Majority of the transporters are with us. However, there will be no disruption in the supply of essential goods like milk and vegetables and no hindrance to people facing health emergencies.'' He claims that around 800 Bluelines operating under the DTC's km scheme would not ply tomorrow.

Reiterating their demands, he adds, ``We want permits from the State Transport Authority and will agree to temporary permits. We do not want cooperatives.''