Private bus services across Nadia district and beyond were hampered on Monday as around 2,500 bus workers began an indefinite ceasework to protest against illegal auto and e-rickshaw services that they claimed created a livelihood crisis for them.

None of the over 800 buses, which regularly ply on 100 routes across the district and outside, went off the road, inconveniencing passengers.

Bus workers, who include drivers, conductors and cleaners, said they would continue the cease work despite financial hardship unless the district administration cracked down on illegal totos and autorickshaws.

Bus workers across political affiliations have joined hands and enjoy the support of bus owners in their protest.

“We are fed up with harassment, financial loss, threats and assault by toto and auto rickshaw operators. These illegal operators enjoy the tacit support of the ruling party and police. They have ruined our livelihood by illegally going beyond their routes to ferry passengers. We hardly get passengers on short stretches because of their illegal operation,” said a bus driver on the Krishnagar-Karimpur route.

Terming the grievance of bus workers as “genuine”, president of Nadia Bus Owners’ Association Kunal Ghosh told The Telegraph, “The auto and toto menace has affected us financially. It has become near impossible for many bus owners to pay the monthly wages of workers. A few routes have become sick in the absence of passengers. Yet we are continuing service in public interest.”

Both bus owners and workers alleged that in September a similar cease work was called when the district administration assured action against illegal auto and toto operators. But nothing had been done.

“Police and transport authorities remain blind to the illegality of toto and auto operators. They don’t take action even though toto and auto rickshaws violate Supreme Court order and ply on national highways,” leader of the Bus Owners’ Association’s Kunal Ghosh said.

Madan Das, chairperson of Ranaghat subdivision Bus Owners’ Association, said, “In Ranaghat alone at least 14 routes have become sick. We are incurring huge loss because of auto-toto menace and high price of fuel. Police and administration are doing little to address our concern.”

RTO Nadia Anirban Sengupta, however, refuted the allegations. He said: “We often conduct raids and take legal action against illegal operators. Recently at least 10 auto rickshaws have been seized in Habibpur, Dhubulia, Nabadwip and Santipur for ferrying passengers on bus routes.”