A transport workers’ strike in Sylhet, demanding the reopening of stone quarries and other issues, has disrupted public transportation, causing significant distress for passengers. The strike, which began on Tuesday morning, has halted most transport services, including buses and trucks.

On Monday evening, the Sylhet District Road Transport Bus-Minibus Owners Association and the Sylhet District Road Transport Workers Union announced the strike during a press conference.

On Tuesday afternoon, a visit to the Kadamtali Central Bus Terminal in Sylhet revealed passengers gathered in front of various bus counters, but no buses were operating. Many, including those with young children, were left waiting for hours.

Sayma Akhtar, who came to the terminal with her young child to travel to Habiganj from the Mezortila area, said, “My mother is ill, so I came to the bus terminal with my child to go to Habiganj. But I’ve been waiting since morning and haven’t found any transport. Private cars are available, but they’re charging exorbitant fares.”

At Humayun Rashid Square in the city, passengers were also seen waiting on the roads for vehicles.

Matiur Rahman, an elderly man waiting for transport to Sherpur, said, “I’ve been waiting for nearly three hours to get a vehicle to Sherpur, but there’s nothing available. Occasionally, a few vehicles pass by, but other transport workers are preventing them from picking up passengers.”

While some auto-rickshaws, rickshaws, and microbuses were seen operating, there were reports of transport workers obstructing their movement.

Meanwhile, Maulana Lokman Ahmad, president of the Sylhet District Road Transport Owners Association and a Jamaat leader, rejected the strike and announced that buses would continue to operate. However, no buses were seen on the roads until 1 PM, and his supporters were also absent from the streets. Striking workers were observed stationed at various intersections.

Sylhet’s District Administrator Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad stated that efforts are underway to hold discussions with transport owners and workers. “The transport workers’ strike has caused significant inconvenience to the public. We have initiated steps to hold talks with them. A meeting will be held today under the initiative of the Divisional Commissioner,” he said.

Ali Akbar Rajon, Joint General Secretary of the Sylhet District Road Transport Bus-Minibus, Coach-Microbus Workers Union, said, “We’ve heard that a meeting may be held with political leaders under the Divisional Commissioner’s initiative, but we haven’t received any formal notification yet. If such a meeting is organized, we will definitely attend. If our demands are met, we will call off the strike.”

The transport owners and workers have put forward a six-point demand list, which includes:

Canceling the notification issued under Section 36 of the Road Transport Act 2018, which sets the economic life of buses and minibuses at 20 years, trucks, pickups, and covered vans at 25 years, and CNG and Ima Laguna vehicles at 15 years.

Lifting the suspension order on all stone quarry leases in Sylhet and reopening sand and stone quarries under the traditional system.

Abolishing the requirement for contractor certification for vehicle fitness certificates issued by the BRTA and withdrawing the increased taxes imposed on public and goods transport.

Halting the disconnection of electricity to all crusher mills in Sylhet, returning electricity meters, and compensating for damages to mills and losses of stone and sand taken from vehicles.

Immediately transferring Sylhet District Administrator Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad, who has taken a stance against transport owners, workers, businessmen, and the general public.

Stopping the harassment of drivers of sand and stone-carrying vehicles and all types of goods transport vehicles on the roads.