Agartala, 13th November 2026 : Demanding social security, improved welfare facilities and resolution of long-pending grievances, representatives of various transport workers’ unions from Tripura are set to participate in a major protest at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, organised by the Bharatiya Private Transport Mazdoor Sangh.
The proposed maha-dharna will focus on a 16-point charter of demands aimed at addressing the problems faced by transport workers and vehicle owners. Announcing the details at a press conference on Friday, organisation leaders Asim Datta, Abdul Haque and Rajkumar Banik said the absence of a dedicated Transport Workers’ Welfare Board was their foremost concern.
“Our primary demand is the establishment of a Transport Workers’ Welfare Board, as workers currently have no proper social security mechanism or dedicated welfare board,” the leaders said.
They also demanded revision of vehicle fares, alleging that rates have remained unchanged for the past seven and a half years. Another major demand is the withdrawal of the daily Rs 50 fitness fine in Tripura, which they claimed has already been discontinued in several other states.
The organisation further called for the construction of drivers’ rest facilities at intervals of every 50 kilometres along routes used by trucks arriving from outside the state.
Highlighting administrative difficulties, the leaders alleged that the State Transport Authority (STA) board in Tripura has been functioning without a chairman for the past four years. They said the situation has adversely affected transport workers and vehicle owners, particularly in matters such as vehicle ownership transfer and registration.
Compensation for deceased workers is another significant demand. The organisation is seeking Rs 20 lakh for the families of workers who die in road accidents and Rs 10 lakh in cases of natural death.
Representatives from affiliated unions covering rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, electric autos, trucks, goods-carrying vehicles, small commercial vehicles and taxis are expected to participate in the Delhi protest.
The leaders alleged that despite repeatedly approaching the Tripura government, concerned departments and the District Magistrate with their charter of demands, no satisfactory action has been taken so far.
They said the proposed demonstration would be an effort to draw the attention of the authorities to the longstanding problems of transport workers and press for concrete measures to protect their livelihood and welfare.
