Kolkata Braces for Severe Public Transport Crisis as Election Duty Diverts Buses
Kolkata is on the brink of a significant public transport crisis, set to escalate from Monday, as large-scale requisitioning of buses for election duty threatens to cripple the city's already strained mobility network. With the Election Commission of India intensifying preparations for the 2026 assembly elections, more than half of Kolkata's bus fleet is being diverted to ferry Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel and polling staff, leading to widespread disruptions for daily commuters.
Unprecedented Scale of Bus Requisitioning
The impact of this diversion is already palpable across the city. Commuters report unusually long waiting times, severely overcrowded buses, and the near disappearance of services on several key routes. Transport officials estimate that over 400 State Transport Undertaking (STU) buses are currently off the roads due to being deemed not roadworthy, exacerbating the shortage.
From Monday, the situation is expected to worsen significantly. A senior official from the state transport department explained, "Training for poll personnel is in full swing, and buses are being deployed continuously for ferrying CAPF personnel. We are trying to balance essential services, but election duty remains a top priority."
Bus operators have highlighted the unprecedented scale of the requisition. Titu Saha, secretary of the City Suburban Bus Services, stated, "More than half of the fleet has already been taken for poll duty, primarily for transporting CAPF personnel. Police alone have requisitioned around 1,600 buses, while Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) have taken another 400."
Chaotic Coordination and Commuter Hardships
Saha alleged that the process has been chaotic and poorly coordinated, with buses being picked up without prior notice, sometimes directly from the road. "Passengers are being asked to disembark midway so that buses can be sent to distant districts, including north Bengal," he added. This has created a massive vacuum in Kolkata's transport system, with operators warning of a potential collapse if the situation persists.
The Joint Council of Bus Syndicates has termed the early requisitioning "unethical" and has written to Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty and Secretary Saumitra Mohan. They urge authorities to coordinate with bus owners through route committees rather than seizing vehicles abruptly. Tapan Banerjee, secretary of the council, also pointed out that the issue of remuneration for buses on poll duty remains unresolved, adding to the operators' grievances.
For daily commuters, the disruption has translated into significant inconvenience and rising costs. Anindita Ghosh, a teacher in south Kolkata, shared, "I waited nearly 40 minutes for a bus today, and when it came, it was packed beyond capacity." Rajesh Shaw, who travels from Howrah to central Kolkata, added, "There are barely any buses during peak hours now. We are forced to rely on autos or taxis, which is not an affordable option for many."
Official Justification and Future Outlook
Transport officials have acknowledged the strain on public transport but defended the move as necessary for ensuring peaceful elections. An official noted, "A record number of CAPF personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. Transport logistics are critical, and requisitioning vehicles is an integral part of that process."
With over 3,000 buses typically serving Kolkata, the sudden withdrawal of a large portion of the fleet is expected to severely disrupt daily life, highlighting the urgent need for better planning and coordination between election authorities and transport stakeholders.
