Vehicles to stay off Malda roads

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 5: Protesting against the apparent inaction of the Malda district administration in banning motorised three-wheeler vans, the Malda Commercial Vehicles’ Forum has called for a 72-hour transport strike in the district from tomorrow. The strike is feared to cripple transport services in the district. All buses and other commercial vehicles would stay off the roads. It may be recalled that leaders of all vehicle associations in the district had recently submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional officer of Malda, requesting him to put a ban on motorised vans. But, no step was allegedly taken to discourage the use of such vans. “This prompted us to call for a 72-hour transport strike in the district,” said Mr Kajal Roy, a senior member of the forum. Hundreds of people earn their livelihood by carrying passengers on motorised vans manufactured locally. The number of motorised vans has increased in the district over the past three years. Apart from the passengers, the motorised vans also carry goods. The first complaint against the use of motorised vans was lodged by members of the Bus and Mini Bus Owners’ Association way back in 2003. The district administration, however, is yet to take any action in this regard. Since motorised vans are picking passengers, owners of contract carriers are facing problems. The Malda district administration had recently launched a drive against the use of motorised vans. They, however, backtracked following alleged pressure from political parties, especially the CPI-M. The motorised van owners have formed unions in the district and they are supported by various political parties, including the CPI-M. They recently organised an agitation here to protest against the district administration’s move to ban the motorised vans.