Comilla Bus Owners Threaten 40-Route Service Shutdown Over Permit Dispute

Comilla is on the brink of a major transport disruption as the Comilla Bus Owners’ Association, the city’s leading transport organisation, has announced that bus services on approximately 40 key routes will be suspended from Thursday morning unless their demands are met. The dispute centres on the operation of ID Transport, which has been providing services on the Comilla–Chandpur route.

The association has demanded that all ID Transport buses be barred from using the Jangalia Bus Terminal, citing a lack of a proper local route permit. The situation has raised concerns among commuters, as buses from Jangalia, Shashangacha, and Chawk Bazar terminals serve thousands of passengers daily, operating on both inter-city and intra-city routes connecting Comilla with Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, and Chandpur.

Background of the Dispute:

Statements from Key Figures:

• Mir Parvez Alam, Chairman of ID Transport, stated:
  “Despite receiving a permit from the Chandpur authorities, the Comilla Bus Owners’ Group has repeatedly obstructed our operations. The district administration has not issued a local clearance certificate, forcing us to operate from an alternative location. Legal barriers do not exist, yet we face continued opposition.”
• Md. Tajul Islam, Executive President of the Comilla Bus Owners’ Association, added:
  “ID Transport is attempting to use the Jangalia terminal without a Comilla route permit. We have warned them multiple times. Should buses appear at the terminal on Thursday, no services will depart from the city’s three major stations. We have informed the district administration of the situation.”
• Mohammad Zafar Sadiq, Additional District Magistrate of Comilla, commented:
  “We have held discussions with both parties. The transport leaders insist that ID Transport buses cannot enter the Jangalia terminal. We have directed them to operate from Paduar Bazar. Failure to comply will result in legal action.”

The potential shutdown threatens to paralyse commuter travel across Comilla, impacting tens of thousands of passengers who rely on these buses daily. Authorities continue to mediate between the two sides in an effort to avert a full-scale strike.