Bhubaneswar: Passengers are in for a tough time during the festive season as the Private Bus Owners’ Association has decided to keep vehicles off the roads from October 20 protesting against the state government’s Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) programme.
According to sources, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had October 12 launched affordable bus service under LAccMI scheme flagging off 36 buses in Malkangiri. The service aims at connecting 111 gram panchayats of Malkangiri with the district headquarters and the state capital.
After Malkangiri, the services will be rolled out in Gajapati district. Protesting the government’s bus service connecting blocks and district headquarters, the Private Bus Owners’ Association had called for a strike October 10.
In a bid to avoid the strike, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) had a meeting with the association October 9 and assured the members of fulfilling their demands. The bus owners and CMO were scheduled to conduct a second meeting on the issue October 26.
However, buses have been plying between blocks and district headquarters under LAccMI scheme in undivided Koraput, according to the Private Bus Owners’ Association which has so far been opposing it.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of bus services between blocks and district headquarters under LAccMI, now the association has called for a statewide strike from October 20.
Meanwhile, the Transport department Wednesday had a meeting with the association to resolve the issue. However, the body wanted a written assurance about withdrawal of services between blocks and district headquarters under LAccMI.
According to association general secretary Debendra Sahoo, they would have no option other than winding up their business if the state government does not withdraw bus services between blocks and district headquarters under LAccMI.
“We want a written assurance from the state government for fulfilment of our demand. We feel sorry for passengers, especially during the Durga Puja. However, we have no option other than going off the roads from October 20. The strike will continue during the festive season,” Sahoo said.
Sources said the state government will operate at least 1,000 buses in the rural areas with an allocated budget of Rs3,178 crore under the scheme. A total of 460 state-run buses have been plying across the state.
PNN