CALCUTTA HIT BY TRANSPORT STRIKE

The operators of private buses and taxis in India's third most populous city, have begun an indefinite strike. The action is in protest against a decision by the West Bengal government to implement a ban on commercial vehicles more than 15 years old. The ban, ordered by Calcutta's high court, aims to cut pollution. A study found that 70% of Calcutta's 18 million residents suffer from breathing problems or respiratory disease. The ban will be effective from 1 August. But with some 60,000 taxis and 10,000 buses currently standing idle, the strike is having a major impact.There are huge crowds at metro stations and schools and universities are shut.