Odisha private bus operators threaten state-wide strike from March 14

Bhubaneswar: The All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association (AOPBWA) on Monday announced to launch a state-wide bus strike from March 14 to protest the state government’s decision to ply 300 more city buses for long route service and increase in tax collection amount.

Around 6,000 private buses will stay off roads across the state from March 14 for an indefinite period.

The private bus owners’ association secretary Debendra Sahu said that the association was forced to go for indefinite strike protesting the state government’s decision to ply city buses on long routes and increase in tax collection from bus operators.

He said the association has already submitted a memorandum highlighting their demands to the Transport Department.

“The state government is planning to introduce 300 city buses for long route service across the state. We are demanding that the government should come with a clarification on which routes these buses will be introduced,” said Sahu.

The association demanded that the government address their demands at the earliest.

Sources said the state government is planning to bring a Bill in the Assembly to increase tax collection, which has been strongly opposed by the association.

Notably, the AOPBWA had in October last year threatened to go for a similar kind of strike across the state. However, it was cancelled after the government assured to look into the matter.