Patna Municipal Corporation Vehicle Drivers Go on Strike Over Delayed Salaries, Sanitation Services Hit Across 75 Wards
Patna, Jagran Team: Sanitation services across Bihar’s capital city were severely affected on Tuesday after vehicle drivers working under the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) went on strike. Angry over delays in salary payments and pending dues, drivers operating in all 75 municipal wards stopped work, bringing garbage collection activities to a standstill. As a result, piles of waste accumulated in several parts of the city, causing inconvenience to residents.
The impact of the strike was visible from early morning. In many neighborhoods where garbage collection vehicles usually make door-to-door rounds, no vehicles arrived. Residents were forced to keep household waste at home, while garbage heaps began appearing along roadsides, street corners, and public areas.
Drivers employed through municipal agencies gathered at the Circle Office gate in Meena Bazaar and staged a protest demonstration. The protesters alleged that they had been facing irregular salary payments and delays in receiving pending dues for a long time. Despite repeatedly raising their concerns with the concerned agencies and officials, they claimed that no concrete action had been taken, forcing them to resort to a strike.
The protesting drivers said they play a crucial role in maintaining the city's cleanliness but their problems are being ignored. According to them, salary payments have been delayed for several months, creating serious financial difficulties for their families. Many workers stated that they are struggling to meet household expenses, children's education costs, and other daily necessities.
Sunny Kumar, Organizational Secretary of the Workers’ Union, said that despite repeated assurances from authorities, pending payments have not been released. He stated that drivers have continued performing their duties regularly, but their wages and salaries are not being paid on time. As a result, many workers are facing severe economic hardship. He warned that the protest could continue if their demands are not addressed promptly.
A large number of drivers and sanitation workers participated in the demonstration, including Rajeev Gupta, Mohammad Saddam, Rohit Kumar, and others. The protesters unanimously demanded timely salary payments and the immediate clearance of outstanding dues. They said they had met officials on several occasions, but every discussion ended only with promises rather than solutions.
The strike has had the greatest impact on ordinary citizens. In many localities across Patna, garbage collection services remained suspended throughout the day. Household waste accumulated outside homes, while cleanliness in commercial and market areas also suffered. Residents expressed concern that if the situation continues for several days, the city could face serious sanitation and hygiene problems.
Public health experts have also warned about the risks associated with prolonged garbage accumulation, particularly during the monsoon season. Open waste dumps can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies, and other disease-carrying pests, increasing the risk of illnesses such as dengue, malaria, and other infectious diseases. They emphasized the importance of restoring sanitation services as quickly as possible.
After receiving information about the strike, municipal officials began reviewing the situation. According to officials, the concerns and demands of the drivers are being examined, and discussions are underway with the agencies responsible for employing them. The administration is trying to find a solution that will allow sanitation services to resume without further disruption.
Sources indicate that talks between municipal authorities and agency representatives are likely to take place soon. Officials are attempting to persuade the striking workers to return to work so that waste collection operations can resume. However, the protesters have made it clear that they will continue their agitation until concrete steps are taken to resolve their issues.
Patna Municipal Corporation handles the collection and disposal of thousands of tons of garbage every day through a large workforce and fleet of vehicles. The strike by drivers has disrupted this entire system. If the work stoppage continues for an extended period, the city’s sanitation infrastructure could face significant challenges.
Local residents have urged the administration to reach a quick resolution. While many support the workers’ demand for timely payment of salaries, they also stress that sanitation services are essential and should not remain disrupted. Citizens have called upon the municipal administration to arrange alternative measures if necessary to prevent inconvenience to the public.
Patna Municipal Corporation has been running several campaigns aimed at keeping the city clean and improving urban sanitation. In this context, the strike by sanitation vehicle drivers has emerged as a major challenge for the administration. The issue is not only related to the financial concerns of employees but also affects public health, hygiene, and the overall cleanliness of the city.
For now, attention remains focused on the expected negotiations between municipal authorities and the striking workers. If an agreement is not reached soon, the garbage problem could worsen in the coming days. Meanwhile, the workers have indicated that they are prepared to continue their protest until their demands are met. The administration is therefore under pressure to find a balanced solution that addresses employee grievances while ensuring uninterrupted sanitation services for the residents of Patna.
