With BEST buses largely off the roads, Mumbai's suburban railway network has become the primary mode of transport for many residents

Many commuters usually depend on buses for first-mile and last-mile connectivity

Office workers were among the worst affected, with many leaving home earlier than usual to allow extra time for travel

Several commuters were seen walking considerable distances to reach stations, while others relied on taxis where available

Until normal bus operations resume, Mumbai's local train network is expected to continue carrying the bulk of the city's daily commuters

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday held an urgent meeting with representatives of the BEST bus worker unions following a sudden midnight strike that caused widespread disruption for thousands of commuters across Mumbai, officials said