Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala was badly today (Dec 14, 2006)hit by a 24-hour nationwide strike called by Left trade unions to protest the government's economic policies with public transport completely off the roads.

The strike that began Wednesday midnight saw passengers stranded at railway stations.

With the Left Democratic Front ruling in Kerala, the protesters have ensured that nothing would move during the strike period.

Barring private vehicles, mostly two wheelers, not a single public transport vehicle is on the roads.

Though trains are plying as usual, passengers are staying put at the stations with no means to reach their destinations.

According to reports, the Sabarimala pilgrims have been affected by the strike.

The state transport corporation, which is operating special buses for the pilgrims, is yet to begin operations.

The protesters have also exempted the 11th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which is currently on here.

"We have given special stickers to all vehicles so that they can go to the theatres. We have also made arrangements to supply food packets to those who come to watch the films," said Beena Paul, an official of the IFFK.

At the Infopark IT campus at Kochi, a few major companies have opted for a holiday Thursday and made Saturday a working day instead.

"At the Technopark campus, many companies are working and the employees reached the campus with the help of police escort," said Technopark CEO N. Radhakrishnan Nair.

The state and central government offices have reported poor attendance.