With the latest spell of political turmoil in the country, transport owners are worried as the indefinite blockade enforced by BNP-led 20 party alliance could take a heavy toll on the sector.
“We have to incur loses about Tk300 crore a day due to hartal or blockade enforced by any political party,” said Kondoker Anayetullah, secretary of Dhaka Sarak Poribohan Malik Samity [Dhaka Road Transport Owner’s Association].
Moreover, pickets often set fire on buses or lorries, which add much to the losses, he said.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday announced a countrywide blockade of road, rail and waterways for an indefinite period to protest the government’s not allowing her party and allies to hold rallies in the capital and elsewhere.
Yesterday, pro-blockade activists set fire to at least six buses in the capital. Meanwhile, 20 buses and cars were burned and vandalised by the pickets across the country in the last two days.
“No inter-district bus left from the terminal due to fear of attacks by the pickets today [yesterday],” said Jowshan Ali, assistant manager of Gabtoli Bus Terminal. The transport labourers become jobless on hartal days as they get their wages on daily basis, he said.
In 2014, a transport owner had to incur losses on an average Tk8,000 to Tk10,000 due to hartals or blockades, according to a study by Dhaka Sarak Poribohan Malik Samity.
In 2013, political activists set fire on 800 buses and lorries during hartal hours, and 50 drivers were killed due to the political violence, it said.
The Dhaka Sarak Poribohan Malik Samity had to pay Tk1.50 crore as compensation to the family members of the victim drivers.
“In terms of losses, the amount of money is too little for the family members,” said Anayet.
“Now political violence has returned in the country. The ruling and other political parties should come forward to establish a peaceful condition for the sake of the country’s economic progress,” he said.
Faruk Talokder Sohel, president of Dhaka Bus Truck Owner Association, said: “If the ongoing political deadlock prolongs, it could affect the transport sector badly.”