Around 27,000 private buses across West Bengal may come to a halt from May 22 to 25 as five major bus operators’ associations declare a three-day strike. Their demand? Simple: Stop treating us like ATMs.
What’s the Strike About?
The Besarkari Jatri Paribahan Banchao Committee—a united front of bus operators—has had enough. Their key demands:
- Two-year extension for buses older than 15 years (because replacing fleets post-Covid is impossible).
- Stop police harassment—drivers face ₹1,000–₹2,000 fines daily for “traffic violations.”
- Reduce toll taxes at Vidyasagar Setu and Dankuni.
“We’re not asking for charity,” says Tapan Bandyopadhyay of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates. “Just let us survive.”
Why Now?
- Covid wiped them out. No financial package came.
- Police fines are bleeding them dry.
- Toll taxes make operations unsustainable.
PN Bose (Inter and Intra Region Bus Association) puts it bluntly: “The state forgot us after lockdown. Now, we’re fighting back.”
What Happens Next?
- Talks demanded by May 20—or the strike expands.
- 2,500 buses in Kolkata (and 27,000 statewide) could vanish from roads.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about buses—it’s about India’s post-Covid recovery. If small businesses and transport sectors keep getting ignored, how will the economy revive?
Sharp Truth: The government loves grand metro projects, but what about the real lifeline—the humble bus?
“If Bengal’s buses stop, so does the state.”\
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