Countrywide blockade: Public transports receiving special care

The country is on its way to witness a third round of nationwide blockade called by BNP-Jamaat giving a break on Tuesday. 

Vehicular movement was normal on the break day, however, during the last two blockade this year so far, public transports received special care. 

This correspondent visited several bus depots between last Sunday and Monday where he found Dhaka city bus services operation in minimum level along with long-haul services were almost stopped. 

Using the opportunity, the transport workers utilized the free time.

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The transport workers were seen using the leisure time of the blockade as they were always busy with transporting people. 

Long distance buses in Syedabad terminal got washed and was looking a washed baby by the parents.

A transport worker of Shyamoly Paribahan said, "Since we are not running the vehicles during the blockade for our safety, the bus are being washed on this occasion. It is not always possible to clean inside and outside, so now I am washing well the both sides."

A few workers were painting the buses. One of them said, "We are giving new looks to the buses as these are not operating during blockade."

Md Manik, a bus mechanic said, "Since the transports were not running in the roads, most of the owners were taking service for engine and other important parts of the vehicles."

Meanwhile, president of Bangladesh Covered Van Owners Association, Haji Maqbul Ahmed Bhuiyan told The Report, "We do not want strike, anarchy, vandalism, murder and destruction in this country. We want to run our business."

He also said, "Garments don‍‍`t pay workers, let them deal with the owners. But why our vehicles are burning on the road, what is our crime?" 

He suggested that legal measures should be taken in these matters.

President of Bangladesh Truck Drivers Workers Federation Talukder Mohammad Monir told The Report, "We don‍‍`t accept this strike. If one vehicle is sitting idle every day, our cost is more than 1000 Taka per vehicle. Who will pay this money?"

Transport officials say that long-distance buses are not released due to the fear of blockade. On the other hand, they see the passenger crisis as a major reason.