In protest of Shimulia ghat parking yard toll and illegal road permission of a transport company namely Swadheen Paribahan, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation and Mawa Bus Owners` Association called an indefinite strike on Dhaka-Mawa route from yesterday.
The organisations called the strike, protesting Tk40 toll in Shimulia Parking Yard. Thousands of passengers got stuck in Shimulia-Mawa ghat due to the strike.
Vice-President of Mawa Ghat Transport Owners’ Association Mohammad Noman Mia said: “About 500 buses run on route. Our main demand is to make the parking yard toll free and cancellation of the illegal road permit of Swadheen Paribahan on the route.”
Mawa Bus Owners’ Association President Ali Akber said: “The Bangladesh Transport Owners’ Association has given lease Shimulia ghat parking yard and fixed Tk40 toll for each bus.
There was no record of toll fee on Dhaka-Mawa route but recently the BIWTA started collecting toll from bus owners. That’s why the bus owners’ association has called the bus strike on the route and the ongoing strike will be continued until the removal of toll collection.”
Shimulia ghat bus parking lease Lutfor Rahman Talukder said: “I got the lease as per rule upon highest Tk165,000 for one month and started to collect toll legally.” “It’s up to the authority whether they would make the parking yard toll free or not,” he added.
He further said: “As the bus owners have called the strike, I have withdrawn all of my people to avoid any unwanted scene.”
Officer in Charge of Louhajong police station Md Reazul Haq said: “Considering the suffering of the passengers, bus owners association would not lengthy the duration of strike. We have informed the higher authorities about their demand.”
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Shimulia ghat port officer Md Mohiuddin said: “Maintaining all rules and regulations the BIWTA started toll collection. It’s legal. As authority could not provide all the necessary facilities in the previous ghat at Mawa, toll was not imposed. But Shimulia ghat has enough facilities.”
