Garia Jadavpur Commuters: Friday afternoon turned chaotic for thousands of residents of South Kolkata as a sudden standoff between auto-rickshaw drivers and the police left commuters stranded at one of the city’s busiest transit intersections—Bagha Jatin crossing. The confrontation, which started as a localized protest against rising fines and alleged discriminatory policing, quickly escalated into a full-blown road blockade, causing gridlock across the Garia–Jadavpur corridor for nearly three hours.
By the time traffic police and union leaders reached a truce, hundreds of buses, private cars, and cabs had been rerouted, and countless commuters were forced to take circuitous journeys, often at extra expense and wasted hours. The dispute highlighted once again the precarious balance between livelihood, regulation, and mobility in Kolkata’s rapidly expanding urban landscape.
The Flashpoint: Auto Drivers vs. Battery Rickshaws
At the heart of the row lies the competition between traditional autos and the fast-growing fleet of battery-operated e-rickshaws, popularly known as “totos.”
Auto drivers allege that while they are routinely fined for minor infractions—overcrowding, waiting at intersections, or route-breaking—totos operate unchecked, siphoning away passengers and revenue.
“Battery rickshaws are everywhere now. They don’t follow rules, they carry more passengers than allowed, but the police don’t touch them. Instead, we are penalized at every crossing,” said Debraj Ghosh, an auto union representative.
The resentment has been brewing for months. With Kolkata Police stepping up fines under the Motor Vehicles Act, drivers feel they are being selectively targeted while totos, which are not formally covered by the Act, enjoy immunity.
Officials, however, argue that autos often clog crossings, violate designated routes, and contribute to traffic jams. A senior officer noted that multiple unions compete for dominance in the Garia–Jadavpur stretch, leading to further disorder.
Garia Jadavpur Commuters Bear the Brunt
While the clash was between unions and authorities, the worst-hit were ordinary commuters.
- Sabita Halder, a resident of Sonarpur, described how her bus came to a halt at Bagha Jatin. “I was on my way to MR Bangur Hospital. I had to get down and take a local train from New Garia to Jadavpur, then catch another auto. What should have taken 25 minutes took nearly two hours.”
- Subhasree Majumdar, traveling from Jadavpur to Garia by app-based cab, recounted being forced through a long detour via Santoshpur and Patuli, doubling her fare.
These stories echo across South Kolkata’s working population, where thousands rely on autos as the cheapest and most efficient mode of last-mile connectivity.
Why This Corridor Matters
The Garia–Jadavpur stretch is more than just a transit route—it is one of the arterial lifelines of South Kolkata. It links dense residential neighborhoods such as Patuli, Baishnabghata, and Santoshpur with commercial, educational, and medical hubs. It also feeds into metro stations like Kavi Subhash and Shahid Khudiram, as well as suburban railway nodes.
Autos in this belt are not luxuries; they are a daily necessity. Buses, though cheaper, are infrequent and overcrowded. Totos are cheaper still, but their safety standards and legal status remain questionable. This makes the corridor a hotspot for transport disputes, with every clash hitting the commuting public directly.
For a wider view on how urban Kolkata’s transport works, see Transport in Kolkata.
The Legal Grey Zone of Totos
The rise of battery-operated totos across Bengal is a double-edged sword. On one hand, they are eco-friendly, accessible, and cost-efficient. On the other, they operate largely in regulatory limbo.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, under which traffic police prosecute violations, does not explicitly cover e-rickshaws unless licensed by state transport departments. This leaves enforcement agencies powerless to fine or regulate them, despite their overwhelming presence.
This loophole has fueled resentment among auto drivers, who argue that their regulated trade is being undermined by an unregulated parallel economy. Without a state-level policy intervention, the conflict is bound to escalate.
For context, read about the Motor Vehicles Act.
Recurring Pattern of Disruption
This is not the first time commuters in South Kolkata have been held hostage by transport disputes. In August 2025, an auto fare surge at Garia Metro made headlines when commuters reported paying ₹50 for a 1.9 km ride due to limited options during peak hours. (TOI report)
The pattern is clear: when disputes between auto unions and authorities spill onto the streets, commuters suffer. The city’s reliance on an informal, loosely regulated system leaves little resilience in moments of disruption.
Possible Solutions on the Table
Experts and transport planners suggest several pathways to ease such crises:
- Integration of E-Rickshaws: Instead of ignoring their presence, totos should be licensed, their routes fixed, and safety norms enforced.
- Rationalization of Auto Routes: Multiple unions should be consolidated under one regulatory framework to reduce turf wars.
- Fare Regulation: Just as metered taxis are regulated, a transparent fare chart for autos and totos would reduce exploitation.
- Revival of Shuttle Services: The government has experimented with shuttle buses to cut dependency on autos, but these need expansion.
One such step was the shuttle bus service proposal earlier this year aimed at bridging the gap for commuters frustrated with autos. (Report here)
Voices of Urban Mobility Experts
Transport activists argue that the problem is systemic. Dr. Anirban Chattopadhyay, an urban mobility researcher, says:
“Kolkata is trying to be a metro city with a 20th-century informal transport model. Unless the government takes responsibility for integrating informal modes like autos and totos into a formal framework, these flashpoints will recur. Commuters will continue to be the collateral damage.”
Looking Ahead: Policy and Politics
The standoff at Bagha Jatin has also acquired political overtones. With municipal elections approaching, unions are aligning with different political parties, amplifying tensions. Both the Trinamool Congress-led state government and the opposition have staked positions, blaming each other for inaction.
For commuters, however, the issue is less about politics and more about everyday survival. A smooth, predictable, and affordable commute is fundamental to urban life, and every blockade chips away at public patience.
Conclusion: A Roadmap to Avoid Future Gridlocks
The Garia–Jadavpur blockade serves as a reminder of the fragile ecosystem that supports Kolkata’s transport network. At its core is the need for a balanced regulatory regime—one that safeguards livelihoods of drivers, acknowledges the inevitability of battery-powered mobility, and, above all, prioritizes the daily commuter.
Until then, residents of South Kolkata will continue to face the risk of sudden disruptions—where a simple trip to work, college, or hospital could turn into a grueling test of patience on the city’s choked roads.
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