This morning, a nationwide strike was called by transport workers to protest the rising prices of diesel and Kerosene.
Manikganj had no buses or trucks carrying goods on its highway Dhaka-Aricha. Other diesel-powered vehicles were also stopped from the area at that time.
Many commuters faced difficulties because of the shortage of public transport. Our Manikganj correspondent reports that most of them didn’t know about the strike.
Sathi Akhter, a student hailing from Jagir in the district, said that she was going to Dhaka for a job interview today. However, she couldn’t manage a vehicle after waiting four hours at the bus stop.
“I’ve been waiting since 6 a.m. I need the job. Who will pay for my loss?” She spoke to our correspondent while she was speaking.
Abdur Razzak, Manikganj’s city, said that he and his wife waited to travel to Savar since the early hours of the morning. There was no transportation.
There was no restriction on private cars, CNG-run automobilerickshaws, motorcycles and rickshaws being operated on the roads.
Cumilla was in a similar position. In the district, buses and trucks were not allowed to operate. Our local correspondent reports that transport movement along the Dhaka–Chattogram highway was still halted.
Yesterday, the District Road Transport Owners’ Group announced that there will be a transport strike on the roads at a press conference.
Chattogram commuters could be seen waiting at bus stops since the morning. Our staff correspondent reports that not one bus was seen waiting to board.
Tamalika Mitra, her younger brother Shyamal Mitra, visited their aunt’s home in the city’s Jamal Khan neighborhood yesterday from Hathazari upazila to celebrate Dipaboli.
Tamalika, who was waiting at Muradpur for a bus, said “We have been waiting there for an hour but it isn’t there.”
She said, “We must go back today because my brother, an eighth grader, must prepare for his school’s final examination.”
Because there were no public transport options, passengers were forced to pay twice the normal fare by rickshaws or CNG-run-auto Rickshaws.
Many commuters were angry at their sufferings.
Ali Hossain (deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police Traffic), north zone said that legal action would be taken against drivers who will make additional fare for passengers. He said that “our officials are working in various areas to investigate it.”
The ongoing strike was also affecting commuters in Savar, a slum outside of Dhaka.
Reports from Savar: Several passengers were unhappy with the way public transport workers demanded excessive fare on their regular route.
After waiting more than an hour at Savar Bus Stand, Ashikur Rahman was able to board a bus to Gabtoli.
Ashikur stated that he had to pay TK 100 for the trip, which is TK 35 on normal days.
Commuters traveling to Paturia were also seen waiting at the Nabinagar Bus Stand for a while.