New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- Raiganj; Women passengers blocked National Highway-27 at Kalaguachh in Chopra of North Dinajpur district on Monday morning, alleging that drivers of government buses were refusing to stop for them. The road blockade continued for hours, causing major traffic congestion on the highway.
According to the protesting women, the problem started after the state government on June 1 introduced free bus travel for women.
They alleged that several North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) buses have been avoiding the Kalaguachh bus stand when women passengers are waiting there.
Jasmin Begum, one of the protesters, said: "Around 30 women had been waiting at the bus stand for more than two hours on Monday. Overten NBSTC buses crossed during this period, but none of them stopped at the bus stand. We were forced to block the highway to draw the authorities' attention to the problem." The blockade was cleared after the intervention of officials from Chopra Police Station.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.