Odisha Private Bus Owners Put Proposed Strike On Hold

Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for commuters, the Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association on Friday decided to put its proposed strike on hold and said passenger buses have started lying on different routes.

The Association had on Thursday threatened to launch a strike alleging harassment and manhdndling of its employees by the agitating Drivers’ Mahasangha activists in different areas.

Private bus owners had alleged that Drivers’ Mahasangh members had disrupted bus operations in many areas during their agitation that began on Wednesday.

However, the Association has now decided not to go ahead with the planned strike as the meeting between Drivers’ Mahasangh and chief secretary was fruitful on Thursday, its secretary Debendra Sahu said.

Stating that buses have already started plying on different routes, he said complete normalcy will be restored soon.

Noting that all the routes and highways are clear now and movement of trucks has also become normal, he said bus services have have resumed on different routes and the situation is being constantly monitored by the Association.

While giving a strike call, the Association had demanded immediate steps by the state government to clear roadblocks on the National Highways and free them from agitators, adequate security to their staff members and buses during the agitation by the Drivers’ Mahasangh.

However, reports from Sambalpur, Boudh and Sundargarh said that commuters were facing hardship in everal areas including Bonai, Gurundia, Lahunipada and Koida as the members of the Drivers’ Mahasangh continued their protest even after assurance from the government.

The agitating members of the association blocked roads at important junctions including National Highway disrupting normal vehicular movement in the district.

Sources said police personnel picked up several agitating members of Drivers’ Mahasangha from Jayantpur Chhak in Sambalpur district when they were allegedly planning to block the road.