Private bus strike on Kannur-Thottada-Thalassery route in Kerala called off

The Kannur District Private Bus Operators Association on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) called off the indefinite strike on the Kannur-Thottada-Thalassery route, which had entered its sixth day and affected daily commuters.

The decision followed an intervention by Kannur MP K. Sudhakaran, who assured the association that the issue would be taken up at the appropriate level, citing the difficulties faced by the public.

Underpass sought

Bus operators had gone on strike demanding the construction of an underpass near Nadal OK UP school on the old national highway.

Association district secretary Rajkumar Karuvarath said the strike was withdrawn following a request from Mr. Sudhakaran, who assured the association that he would raise the issue with the Union Minister concerned and work towards a solution.

Mr. Karuvarath said that once the NH works are completed, forcing buses from Kannur to reach Thalassery via Thottada by taking a detour of nearly 7 km would be unacceptable. The operators had maintained that private bus services would not resume until a favourable decision was taken on constructing the underpass.

The strike had paralysed one of the district’s busiest routes, along which around 60 private buses operate daily. Commuters dependent on public transport were left stranded, triggering widespread public anger over what they described as “official inaction” despite the prolonged disruption.

While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has reportedly taken a firm stand against building the underpass, allegations are mounting that the district administration is backing this position.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that neither the District Collector nor Kannur MLA Minister Ramachandran Kadannappally has initiated talks with bus owners or local residents to resolve the issue.

Passengers have accused the authorities of “ignoring” public suffering.

KSRTC buses remain the sole relief on the route.