By now the aam aadmi is accustomed to the ‘sleeping giant’ posture that the state government adopts whenever auto rickshaw unions put the brakes onthe city’s working life. Monday was no different. Authorities couldn’t do much to stop the Sharad Rao-led auto rickshaw union from going on strike.u00a0Rather, they were only making alternative arrangements by adding more bus services and assisting people with their travel schedule. MiD DAY spoke to SK Sharma, principal secretary (transport), Maharashtra, on why the government failed to contain the strike and what will be the future course of action.

Not the best of times:u00a0This was the usual sight at bus stops yesterday thanks to the auto strike. Pic/Nayan Sahane