Ganjam Private Bus Owners Call Off Stir After Talks With Transport Minister

Berhampur: Members of the Ganjam District Bus Owners Association, who were on strike since Sunday, called off their agitation following a discussion with the Commerce and Transport Minister Nrusingha Charan Sahu on Tuesday.

The minister assured the association members that their demand for relocation of the Berhampur city bus depot to Haladiapadar will be considered.

However, the protest continued this morning and the agitators allowed only 10 city buses to ply on different routes after holding talks with the administration.

Plying of buses to Bhubaneswar, Aska and other parts of the district was stopped from Berhampur on Sunday morning due to the strike, leaving the commuters stranded at the bus terminal.

Several passengers were seen returning disappointed from the bus stand, owing to non-availability of city buses.

The agitators warned of continuing their strike till the decision regarding relocation of the Berhampur city bus depot is not revoked by the district administration.

Such a move would affect the local business here. The passengers will also face a lot of difficulties if the decision is implemented, they had stated on Monday.

Members of the association had also threatened to intensify the strike by joining hands with the local traders and public if the authorities concerned fail to fulfill their demand at the earliest.

On Saturday, members of Small Traders Association had gheraoed the residence of Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik over the issue.