Commuters of Khulna district have been suffering since morning (October 21, 2022) as bus services within and on 18 routes from the city was suspended for two days starting today ahead of BNP rally.
While visiting Phulbari Gate, Daulatpur, Notun Rasta Intersection, Ferry Ghat, Royal Chattar Gollamari and Sonadanga Bus Stand in Khulna city, our Khulna correspondent found no buses in operation. Also, most of the bus counters remained closed.
Imran Sheikh Munna, salesman of Sewa Green Line at Sonadanga Bus Stand, said, "Today and tomorrow none of our buses will leave Khulna and will not enter. There is a possibility that buses could leave the city after 5pm tomorrow."
"Our buses only go to Abdullahpur in Dhaka from Khulna," he said.
Md Lavlu, a sales person, told The Daily Star, "We have stopped the movement of buses as per the instructions of the authorities."
When asked about the authority, he said that the instruction came from the bus owners' association.
Thakur Prasad Roy, a fish trader, went to the bus counter at Sonadanga in order to travel to Jashore but could not find any buses.
"I need to go to Jashore anyway," he said.
A police constable was seen searching at the Seba Green Line counter to see if there was a bus for Magura. He said, "I know the bus is closed and I have come here to find out if there is any. Because, I have been posted in Magura. So, I have to go at any cost."
Khulna District Bus-Minibus Owners' Association has announced the closure of public transport ahead of the BNP rally. But the association officially said that they have taken the decision as the three-wheeler movement on the highway has not been stopped yet.
Meanwhile, candidates for a test for the post of third-class social workers of Department of Social Services were in trouble due to the bus strike in the district. A total of 13,376 candidates have applied for the post from Khulna. Their exams is scheduled at 13 centers in Khulna city today, according to sources.
Animesh Bain, one of the candidates from Koyra upazila said, "My house is 1,100 kilometers away from the city. Earlier, I thought I would come in the morning on the day of the exam. But where will I go now?"
Khan Motahar Hossain, deputy director of Khulna District Social Service Office, said, "The test is being held simultaneously in 64 districts of Bangladesh. It's pre-announced. There is nothing to be done if the bus service is suspended in Khulna."
