Bus services on the Khowai–Kamalpur–Agartala route were disrupted due to an internal labour rift, leaving commuters stranded. Repeated transport conflicts, sudden service withdrawal, and lack of resolution caused severe public hardship across key routes.
Bus services along the crucial Khowai–Kamalpur–Agartala corridor were severely disrupted on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving hundreds of daily commuters stranded and triggering widespread public inconvenience. The disruption reportedly stemmed from an internal conflict within the ruling party’s affiliated labour organisation, exposing serious coordination failures in public transport management.
According to sources, the crisis began at the Khowai bus stand following a dispute over the permitted boarding and alighting time for passengers. A prior decision by the labour organisation had stipulated that long-distance buses arriving at Khowai should be allowed a minimum halt of ten minutes to facilitate smooth passenger movement. However, allegations surfaced that the local unit of the organisation at Khowai ignored this directive.
Instead, buses bound for Kamalpur and Kailashahar were reportedly restricted to a halt of only five minutes. This abrupt deviation from the agreed norm created confusion among drivers, conductors, and passengers alike. The situation quickly escalated into operational chaos, resulting in the near-total suspension of bus movement from Kamalpur to Agartala on Tuesday.
By Wednesday, the situation worsened as no consensus or intervention emerged. In a sudden move, all buses operating on the Khowai–Kamalpur–Kailashahar routes were withdrawn from service at the Radhanagar bus stand in Agartala without any prior public announcement. The lack of communication further aggravated commuter distress.
Office-goers, students, and daily wage earners were among the worst affected. Many passengers reportedly missed work hours, school schedules, and medical appointments. With regular bus services unavailable, commuters were forced to rely on small vehicles and shared autos. Several passengers alleged that drivers of these alternative modes charged inflated fares throughout the day, exploiting the transport vacuum.
Local residents expressed frustration, stating that such disruptions have become frequent across multiple routes in the state. They alleged that recurring disputes between bus owners and workers aligned with the ruling party’s labour wing are primarily responsible for the ongoing instability in public transport services.
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Despite mounting public pressure, no official resolution had been reached till Wednesday evening. Transport officials remained largely silent, while commuters continued to bear the brunt of administrative indecision. Sources indicated that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, bus services on the Khowai–Kamalpur–Agartala route may remain uncertain on Thursday as well.
The incident has once again raised serious questions about accountability, coordination, and the urgent need for transparent regulation of public transport operations to protect commuter interests.
