Chhattisgarh Bus Strike Threat: Operators Warn of Statewide Shutdown From September 22 Over Fare Hike Demand

Passenger bus operators in Chhattisgarh have warned of a statewide strike from September 22, demanding a revision in fares and action on other long-pending issues.

 Passenger bus services across Chhattisgarh may come to a halt from September 22 as the state’s bus operators have warned of a statewide strike over their demand for a fare hike and other pending issues.The Chhattisgarh Transport Federation (Chhattisgarh Yatayat Mahasangh) has said that if their demands are not addressed soon, passenger buses will stop operating across the state.Bus operators claim that rising diesel prices and increasing operational costs have made it difficult to run services at the existing fare rates.

Operators say fare hike proposal pending for four months

Federation president Anwar Ali said that bus operators have been raising their concerns before the government and the Transport Department for a long time, but no concrete decision has been taken.According to the federation, a proposal seeking a revision in passenger bus fares was submitted to the Transport Department around four months ago. However, the operators claim that no decision has been taken so far.The federation also alleged that there has been no meeting between transport officials and bus operators for nearly three years.

Nine-point demand submitted

Apart from the fare hike, bus operators have placed a nine-point demand charter before the government.

Their major demands include:

• Increase in passenger bus fares due to rising fuel and operational costs

• Implementation of single tax on single sleeper seats

• Restriction on operation of e-buses within city limits

• Action against All India Tourist Permit buses operating from rural areas and bus stands

• Proper gap between buses under stage carriage time schedules

• Reduction in VLTD device renewal charges

• Provision for manual fitness certification of buses

• Simplification of approval process for operating buses in other districts and states

• Online permit facility for all buses

Strike may affect daily commuters

If the strike takes place, thousands of passengers who depend on buses for daily travel may face difficulties.The state government and the Transport Department are yet to announce any decision on the operators’ warning. The next step will depend on discussions between the government and the bus operators’ federation.