The public holiday could officially explain the deserted corridors and locked doors, with only the emergency services in operation on the second day of the indefinite strike by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors' (MARD).

But a mother-daughter duo from Daund, who said they had been asked to report for admission on Tuesday, refused to buy the ``holiday'' explanation, especially after they had to wait nearly two hours at the out-patient department (OPD) to finally hear that they would have to return the following Tuesday. Only 27 emergency cases instead of the usual 100-125, were admitted till mid-day today.

``We were not told about any strike or holiday when we came here last Saturday,'' says the mother, requesting anonymity. She is furious that a fresh visit will mean another packet spent on travel expenses.

The deputy dean of the B J medical College maintained that ``services went on absolutely smoothly.'' But at blocks 2 and 3, patients complained that services were ``slower than usual.'' Sandhya says no doctors, only nurses visit her for rounds, while some patients say ``young, unfamiliar faces'' are doing the rounds, which are delayed by at least an hour each.

Another housewife admitted to the hospital early morning who cannot walk, complained that she had not received a single dose of medicine, the traction belt she desperately needed, or a doctors' visit till nearly four hours after she was admitted.

The MARD, who claim that several interns have offered them their support, today organised a protest march in the Swargate and Sarasbaug areas. Tomorrow they will collect at the collectorate at 11.30 am and present an appeal of their grievances to the Collector.

On November 25 they will take out amorcha from the Pune station and Sadhu Vaswani chowk. They will conduct a day-long cleanliness and health awareness drive at the Sinhagad gaon on November 26.