Finding no buses on the road on the first day of the countrywide transport strike on Friday, common passengers across the country were seen travelling long distances on foot.
The indefinite-term long transport strike started across the country from Friday morning in protest of the hike in diesel and kerosene prices. As part of this, bus-truck owners and workers in Sylhet are on strike. As a result commuters have suffered a lot.
As part of the strike, long-distance and domestic routes from Sylhet have been closed since 6 am on Friday. However, train movement is normal.
Meanwhile, regarding the strike called by the Road Transport Owners Association, Road Transport Workers Federation, Truck-Bus Owners Association and Truck-Covered Van Owners Association leaders said that strict action will be announced later if the increased price of fuel oil is not withdrawn. On the other hand, police were seen patrolling the central bus terminal area of South Surma in Sylhet to avoid any untoward incidents centered on the ongoing strike.
In the meantime, after talking to transport workers and owners in Kadamtali area of the city, it was learned that they have not left any long-distance bus since Friday morning.
Long-distance passengers have suffered due to the closure of bus services. Many are forced to use microbuses and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws. Many passengers were also seen sitting at the bus terminal.
Kazi Helal, a cloth trader who came from Dhaka to Sylhet, said he was supposed to go to Zakiganj on Friday morning for business but, when he came to the bus terminal, he found out that the bus would not run.