Private buses and trucks plying from Raiganj, Malda and South Dinajpur to Siliguri will go off the roads for a day on Wednesday to protest the bad condition of a 48km stretch of NH34 between Raiganj and Dalkhola.

The strike has been called by private bus and truck owners and the West Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce.

According to the secretary of the Raiganj Bus and Minibus Owners’ Association, Asoke Chanda, petitions were submitted several times to the National Highways Authority of India and the district administration but no action was taken to improve the condition of the highway.

He said about 90 buses plied on the route everyday.

“The sides of the road have crumbled and there are huge potholes. Buses which took about 50 minutes to travel the 48km stretch earlier now take two hours. The ride is uncomfortable for the passengers and the drivers face problems negotiating the road,” said Chanda.

“I have held several meetings with NHAI officials and they have made it clear that unless the work in making NH34 a four-lane carriageway is completed, they cannot carry out any repairs. There are some problems in acquiring land for widening the highway. We are trying our best to hand over land as soon as possible,” said district magistrate, PN Bhutia.

Picture by Nantu Dey