Inter-district bus services from Kushtia suspended indefinitely

Inter-district bus services on all routes from Kushtia have been suspended indefinitely since early Friday (April 17), following a strike by transport workers over a two-point demand.

The shutdown, which began around 5:00am, has halted operations on key routes including Kushtia–Meherpur, Kushtia–Pragpur, Kushtia–Khulna–Jashore, Kushtia–Rajbari, Kushtia–Barishal, Kushtia–Rajshahi and Kushtia–Pabna–Sirajganj.

However, long-distance buses to Dhaka remain operational.

The strike was announced on Thursday evening by the transport workers’ union after their demands were not met within a previously set deadline.

Kushtia District Motor Workers’ Union President Mahabul Haque said workers have long been deprived of benefits enjoyed by transport owners. “We held discussions with the owners and set an April 15 deadline, but our demands were not met. As a result, services have been suspended indefinitely,” he said.

The workers’ demands include equal access to facilities enjoyed by owners and permission to operate a bus on the Kushtia–Khulna route under the workers’ organisation.

Rafiqul Islam, general secretary of the Kushtia Bus-Minibus Owners’ Group, confirmed the demands were raised about a week ago. He said services were halted after the workers enforced the strike over unmet conditions.

The suspension has left passengers stranded, with authorities yet to announce any immediate resolution.