The 48-hour transport strike, which commenced in the Chittagong metropolis and five districts, has caused severe suffering, halting public transport from the city to the district and upazila, along with intercity routes, practically isolating road communication in the region.
Hundreds of individuals were observed waiting in the scorching heat for transportation to work and destinations, with many resorting to trucks due to the lack of public transport, particularly impacting students and parents on the first day of school openings.

Despite the operation of rickshaws and autorickshaws in the city, drivers demanded higher fares.

The strike, beginning 6am on Sunday and set to continue until 6am on Tuesday, encompasses all types of buses, minibuses, auto-rickshaws, auto-tempus, and human haulers.

While some buses and minibuses operated on different city routes since Sunday morning, autorickshaw movement remained largely unaffected Of the eight bus owner organizations in Chittagong city, seven expressed solidarities with the strike, while one continued operation.

President of Chittagong Metropolitan Bus Owners Association Belayet Hossain affirmed the ongoing operation of their buses amidst the strike.

Meanwhile, union workers took to the streets to impede bus and minibus traffic in the city, resulting in limited movement and reports of vandalism in areas like Bahaddarhat. However, the autorickshaw movement remained unrestricted.

At the entrance of the city, near Shah Amanat Bridge, hundreds of passengers from various upazilas and Bandarban-Cox’s Bazar have congregated.
However, they find themselves stranded due to the shortage of vehicles. Many were observed sitting on the streets with their families, with children struggling in the heat. Even if a couple of vehicles depart for the Cox’s Bazar route, fares skyrocket from Tk420 to Tk700-Tk800. Some resort to autorickshaws, while others opt to reach their destinations by hitching rides on trucks.
City Police Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-West) Tarek Ahmed said: “Long-distance vehicles are not operating, with services suspended at Alankar, AK Khan intersection, City Gate, and Kadmatoli. Consequently, people are enduring hardship. However, buses continue to run within the city. We have not received any reports of disturbances and are actively monitoring the situation, with a decision forthcoming.”

Mrinal Chowdhury, president of Purbachal Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, a group affiliated with Oikya Parishad, said: “Our strike will persist for 48 hours, halting intercity bus operations entirely. The buses in operation within Chittagong city are owned by the Chittagong Metropolitan Bus Owners Association, which is not participating in the strike. With approximately 150-200 buses at their disposal, they may continue operating within the city.”

Meanwhile, Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman has convened a meeting with transport owners and labour leaders involved in the strike at Circuit House.