Bus strike called on Dhaka-Chattogram route on Monday to protest congestion

Bus transport workers and owners have called a strike on the Dhaka-Chattogram route from morning to evening on Monday to demand an end to the severe traffic congestion on the highway.

The Bus Owners Association and the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Union jointly called the strike to demand a resolution to the heavy congestion at Feni and Daudkandi and the suffering of travellers, Inter-District Bus Owners Association General Secretary Kafil Uddin told bdnews24.com on Sunday.

Construction work on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway rail overpass at Feni’s Mohipal has caused traffic congestion in the area for a few days. The congestion has extended from Mohipal to Cumilla and Chattogram in the past couple of days.

The five-to-six hour trip on the Dhaka-Chattogram route is not taking anywhere from 15 to 17 hours. Many people have cancelled their trips and turned back in the face of such heavy congestion.

Travellers are facing increased difficulties and transport owners are facing financial difficulties, said transport owner leader Kafil.

“If this congestion continues it is likely to get even worse during Ramadan and Eid.”

Transport workers and owners have said that if the situation is not resolved soon, they will halt all passenger vehicle service between 12pm and 3pm from Tuesday.

But bus service on other routes will continue according to the regular schedule, said Kafil.