Passenger bus services on the Udaipur–Agartala route came to a complete standstill from Monday morning after Udaipur-based bus owners and workers suspended operations in protest.
The owners’ and workers’ associations alleged that bus owners from Agartala have long been discriminating against vehicles originating from Udaipur.
They claimed that route discipline is not being maintained, Udaipur buses are repeatedly prevented from entering the Agartala stand, and both sides have accused each other of forcibly attracting passengers.
They stated that due to the lack of administrative intervention and failure of higher authorities within the transport unions to resolve the issues, they were compelled to stop running their buses. The protestors further warned that unless a proper investigation is conducted and action is taken against those responsible, buses from Udaipur will not hit the roads.
As a result of the strike, large crowds of passengers gathered at Udaipur bus stand since morning, but not a single bus left for Agartala.
On the other hand, Agartala bus drivers alleged that they were threatened while passing through Udaipur by a group of youths led by Udaipur bus owner Raju Majumder. Agartala bus owners lodged a complaint at Radhakishorepur police station, claiming that Raju Majumder is deliberately trying to tarnish the image of the state’s Chief Minister and the ruling party.
Initially, Udaipur-to-Agartala buses were halted; now Agartala’s bus drivers have announced on camera that all bus services from Agartala to Gomati and South Tripura districts will remain suspended. They declared that buses will not run until Raju Majumder is removed from his position.
However, long-distance buses on other routes continue to operate normally.
To bring the situation under control, the administration has begun preliminary discussions with bus owners and workers. In light of the ongoing tension, there is growing demand for a joint meeting between the Transport Department, vehicle owners' associations from both districts, and workers’ unions.
