Thursday, September 29 2005 14:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: The nation-wide strike called by Left unions hit normal life in Kerala today (Sept 29, 2005).

Bus services, including the state-run KSRTC, taxis and other modes of public transport are off the road, hitting the mobility of people seriously.

Initial reports said train services were not affected by the strike called to protest the economic reform policies of the Government.

Business activity came to a virtual halt with shops remaining closed throughout the state and commercial vehicles keeping off the roads.

Essential services like water and power supplies were, however, not affected by the strike.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government in the state has declared 'dies non' (no work no pay) for its employees and teachers participating in the strike.

The strike did not affect flight services at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport.

According to airport sources, outbound international flights for various Gulf destinations scheduled in the morning were operated normally.

They included flights of Kuwait Airlines, Qatar Airways and Oman Airways.

Air India and Sri Lankan Airlines' flights were also operating normally, the sources said.