Bus services on the Natore-Rajshahi route remained suspended from Tuesday morning due to a dispute between bus owners, disrupting road communication and causing immense suffering to passengers. The situation did not improve till evening.

Sources said, the conflict erupted over allegations that Rajshahi-bound buses were not being allowed to pass through Natore. In response, Natore bus owners claimed their vehicles were being obstructed in Rajshahi, although the allegation was denied by leaders of the Rajshahi Motor Workers’ Union.

Cumilla bus services suspended as owners enforce strike

Transport insiders said the dispute began after a bus named ‘Andan Paribahan’, owned by the general secretary of Natore Bus Owners’ Association, allegedly operated violating scheduled timing and route rules on the Rangpur-Rajshahi corridor.

Rajshahi Motor Workers’ Union acting general secretary Rafiqul Islam Pakhi said the irregular operation created a passenger crisis. “Despite warnings, they continued and even threatened to stop Rajshahi buses if their vehicles were not allowed,” he said.

He said Rajshahi buses were blocked in Natore in the morning. Although some buses entering Rajshahi were later released, new services from Natore were not allowed. Ticket counters for Dhaka-bound buses were also shut in Natore, halting services from Rajshahi.

Bus movement on multiple routes, including Rangpur division, Sirajganj, Pabna, Dhaka and Khulna via Natore, remained suspended.

Passengers were seen struggling at Rajshahi’s Shiroil Bus Terminal, trying alternative transport.

Natore Bus Owners’ Association president Prashanta Kumar Poddar Lakkhan denied blocking buses, alleging instead that several Natore buses were held in Rajshahi. He warned that passenger suffering may worsen if the situation persists.