Thousands of people are suffering as transport workers blocked Shambhuganj Bridge in Char Kalibari area, halting vehicles going to Mymensingh town through different internal routes of Mymensingh region.

On a visit to the spot, this correspondent saw transport workers stopping three-wheelers, including rickshaws, bound for different areas of Mymensingh, Sherpur, Netrakona and Kishoreganj.

Haider Ali, who works for a pharmaceutical company, said he was transferred to Kalmakanda upazila in Netrakona and is scheduled to join there, but could not get any transport. “I have been waiting at Shambhuganj Bridge for an hour but there is no bus available,” he told this correspondent at around 11:30am.

As operation of vehicles on all the roads has remained suspended for an indefinite period 'on security grounds' from yesterday, the sufferings of the people have gone beyond description, lamented some passengers in Charpara area in the town.

They also said if the undeclared transport strike continues the people's suffering will increase.

Swarnali Rani said she had been waiting at the bridge with her five-year-old son for a Kishoreganj-bound bus but did not get any after waiting for an hour.

Taking advantage of the situation, the drivers of three-wheelers are charging much higher fares.

“I went to Mymensingh town from Tarakanda upazila spending Tk 70 this morning, but usually I need Tk 20,” said Shammi Akter, an HSC student who was waiting in the bridge area to return home.

Talking to this correspondent, some transport workers said they want immediate solution of the ongoing crisis as many of them live from hand to mouth.

Mymensingh District Transport Workers Union Publicity Secretary Md Ali Hossain said the transport workers are continuing their programme demanding normalcy on the road.

Blockade programmes are going on at different spots, including Shambhuganj Bridge, Mashkanda Bus Terminal and Zero Point, said Mymensingh Zila Motor Malik Samity Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman.

On obstruction of rickshaws and private cars, he said such incidents were unwarranted.

Our Sherpur Correspondet adds: No long-distance bus plied from the district town yesterday.

Dhaka-bound buses were seen lined up at the municipal and Nabinagar terminals in the town.