Massive Bus Strike Paralyzes Rajasthan Transport, Thousands Left Stranded
Transportation across Rajasthan has been thrown into chaos as an indefinite strike by nearly 35,000 private buses entered its second day on Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at bus stands throughout the state. The sudden suspension of private bus services has forced commuters to rely solely on overcrowded state-run buses, resulting in severe congestion, long waiting times, and widespread travel disruptions.
Passengers Bear the Brunt of Transport Standoff
Among the most affected were pilgrims traveling to attend the popular Khatushyam fair, who were seen waiting helplessly at Jaipur bus stands with their journeys abruptly halted. The strike has created a domino effect, with Lok Parivahan and other state-operated buses struggling to accommodate the sudden surge in demand, leading to chaotic scenes and frayed tempers at major transit hubs.
Tensions Escalate at Sindhi Camp Bus Stand
The situation took a confrontational turn on Tuesday afternoon at Jaipur's Sindhi Camp bus stand when inspectors from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Jaipur (II) intervened following complaints. Reports indicated that striking private bus operators were allegedly preventing Lok Parivahan buses from operating and forcibly disembarking passengers.
Rajesh Chaudhary, Inspector at RTO Jaipur (II), stated, "We received specific complaints about operators on strike forcibly removing passengers from buses. Our team reached Sindhi Camp to address the issue. When we attempted to intervene and stop these actions, it led to a heated argument with the bus operators. We clearly instructed them not to obstruct those operators who wished to continue running their services."
Operators Protest "Unjust" Actions by Transport Department
The bus operators, organized under the Rajasthan Contract Carriage Bus Operators Association, have launched this strike to protest what they describe as "unjust and oppressive actions" by the state transport department. Their primary grievance centers on the imposition of heavy challans (fines) despite their claims of full compliance with bus body norms and regulations.
Rajendra Sharma, President of the Association, revealed that operators were called for talks for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, but the discussions ended in a stalemate. "Our demands were rejected due to alleged discrepancies in data related to suspended Registration Certificates (RCs). Another round of negotiations with transport officials is scheduled for Wednesday," he explained.
Economic Impact and Political Ramifications
The strike has already triggered significant financial repercussions, with Sharma estimating that refunds for pre-booked sleeper bus tickets alone amounted to nearly Rs 20 crore in a single day. Furthermore, the operators have issued a stark warning that they may refuse to provide buses for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled rally in Ajmer on February 28 if their demands remain unmet, potentially escalating the dispute into a major political issue.
The ongoing transport crisis highlights deep-seated issues within Rajasthan's public transportation system and underscores the urgent need for a resolution to restore normalcy for the thousands of affected passengers.
