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.

According to the recruitment notification, the online application process commenced on July 8, 2026, and will remain open until July 16, 2026. Interested applicants are advised to complete the registration process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

The vacancies are being filled on an outsourcing basis for bus operations in the Gorakhpur region. Selected candidates will be responsible for issuing tickets, assisting passengers, maintaining travel records and supporting the smooth operation of UPSRTC bus services. The recruitment is part of the corporation's ongoing effort to strengthen its workforce and improve public transport services across Uttar Pradesh.

To be eligible, candidates must have passed Class 12 (Intermediate) from a recognised board. Applicants should also possess the qualifications and certificates specified in the official notification. The prescribed age limit is 18 to 40 years, while candidates belonging to reserved categories will receive age relaxation in accordance with Uttar Pradesh government rules.

The recruitment notification states that no application fee has been prescribed for this recruitment drive. Candidates can complete the registration process online by filling in their personal and educational details, uploading the required documents and submitting the application through the designated portal.

The selection process is expected to include scrutiny of applications followed by further stages as prescribed by UPSRTC and the outsourcing agency. Candidates shortlisted during the recruitment process will be informed about the subsequent stages, including document verification and any additional assessment, if applicable.

Applicants are advised to keep scanned copies of educational certificates, identity proof, passport-size photographs and other required documents ready before beginning the application process. They should also verify that all information entered in the online form is accurate, as incorrect details may lead to rejection during verification.

UPSRTC has been carrying out district-wise recruitment drives in recent months to address manpower requirements across various depots. The Gorakhpur recruitment is among the latest rounds of appointments announced by the corporation as it continues efforts to improve operational efficiency and passenger services.

Candidates should regularly visit the official UPSRTC and employment portals for updates regarding the recruitment schedule, document verification, interview or merit list, if applicable. Any future announcements related to the recruitment process will be released through official channels.

With 145 vacancies available in the Gorakhpur region, the recruitment presents an opportunity for eligible candidates seeking employment in Uttar Pradesh's public transport sector. Interested applicants should ensure that they satisfy all eligibility conditions before submitting their applications within the prescribed deadline.

Chhattisgarh Transport Department on Monday ordered a wide-ranging administrative reshuffle, transferring 165 officers and staff across the state as part of an effort to streamline operations and strengthen field-level oversight. The transfers, issued by the Transport Commissioner’s office, include new appointments to several district and checkpost roles, with Narayanpur and Bijapur receiving new in-charge district transport officers (DTOs).

Major move announced
According to the official order seen by this reporter, the roster covers 46 transport inspectors, 50 transport sub‑inspectors, 16 assistant sub‑inspectors, 35 head guards (pradhan aaraksak) and 18 guards (aaraksak). The department has instructed all transferred personnel to assume charge at their new postings with immediate effect.

New district leads named
Sources in the department confirmed that Transport Inspector Anupam Patel, previously posted with the Korba flying squad (udandasta), has been appointed the in‑charge DTO of Narayanpur. Sanat Kumar Jagde, who was serving in Durg, has been given charge of Bijapur district. Officials described both postings as administratively significant because the two districts present logistical and regulatory challenges that require experienced supervision.

Other key placements
The transfer list also named several operational moves intended to tighten enforcement at checkposts and improve mobile squad coverage. Krishna Kumar Chaubey has moved from Ambikapur to the Chilfi checkpost; Vaibhav Shukla has been shifted from Raipur to Ramanujganj; and Mohammad Abid Khan will now serve at the Dhanpunji checkpost, coming from Kota. In Raipur’s flying squad, Santosh Kumar Rathore, Chandra Kumar Sahu and Aruna Sahu have been newly posted.

In Bilaspur, Mahendra Kumar Kuldeep has been posted to the transport office, while Rajendra Kumar Barman has been shifted from Patekohra checkpost to the Raigarh flying squad. Keshav Prasad Rajwade moves to the Durg flying squad, and Jitendra Bhushan has been assigned responsibilities at the Patekohra checkpost.

Reason and expected effects
An official who asked not to be named said the reshuffle is “part of routine administrative practice,” aimed at improving transparency, administrative control and the operational efficiency of the transport department across districts. “Rotations help reduce localised complacency and ensure fresh supervision at busy checkposts,” the source added.

Transport department communiqués and local officials indicate the move also targets strengthening field‑level monitoring of goods and passenger vehicle compliance, tolling of permits, and enforcement against overloading and safety lapses — issues that remain high priorities for regional transport enforcement teams.

Ground-level context
On the ground, drivers and operators at several checkposts said they expected short-term disruption as new officers settled in. “There will be some adjustment, but if the new DTOs focus on quick permit clearances and fair enforcement, operators here will welcome it,” said a transport contractor at a Raipur transit hub, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Administrative staff in a couple of districts reported receiving transfer orders late Sunday evening, and several officers left for their new stations overnight. Local officials expect the administrative handover to be completed within a few days, barring travel delays.

Next steps and oversight
The department has stressed immediate joining and directed senior officers to oversee a smooth transition. District authorities will likely hold briefings this week to hand over files, update vehicle records and reassign local teams.

Transport analysts note that while transfers alone do not guarantee better enforcement, rotating personnel — when paired with clear performance targets and supervisory checks — can improve responsiveness, especially at checkposts that handle heavy commercial traffic.

What to watch
In the coming weeks, the department’s ability to quickly stabilise operations at key checkposts and maintain permit and safety oversight will be a practical test of this reshuffle. Motorists and transport unions have said they will watch for changes in enforcement patterns and any impact on clearance times at major transit points.

For now, the department is moving ahead with immediate effect orders and has signalled a tighter focus on field monitoring and administrative control across Chhattisgarh.