Normal life is affected in West Bengal and Kerala following a strike to protest the steep hike in petroleum prices. Most of the private buses, taxies, auto rikshaw are off the road in Kolkata following the 24-hour Transport Strike called by the CITU in West Bengal. Government owned buses are playing in limited numbers. Ferry services are also closed. Train and air services are, however, normal.<br/><br/>In Kerela, the dawn-to-dusk strike called by the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF also hits normal life. Reports from across the state said, public transport and commercial vehicles are off the roads. Essential services have been exempted from the strike. Universities have postponed the examinations scheduled for the day. Rail traffic is , however, not affected by the strike call given by the ruling coalition.