Private bus strike in Odisha from tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Private buses will remain off roads from tomorrow as the All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association has decided to go ahead with its call for an indefinite state-wide strike after discussions between bus operators and the State government ended inconclusively.

According to the spokesperson of the association, the decision of bus operators to uphold their call for an indefinite strike was taken at the executive committee meeting soon after discussions with the government failed.

Buses run by private operators will stop plying from 6 AM tomorrow, however, school and town buses have been kept out of the purview of the bandh.

President of the association Prakash Mishra on March 9 had informed about the decision alleging that the state government has turned a blind eye towards their demands.

The private bus owners have been demanding toll exemption, clarity on route map of JNNURM city buses and also rollback of hike in motor vehicle tax among others. However, the government has not kept its words despite assurances, the bus owners alleged.