Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Private Bus Owners Association has withdrawn its proposed indefinite statewide bus strike that was scheduled to begin on January 24, following discussions with the state government.
The decision was announced on Thursday after association leaders held talks with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, and senior government officials. After the meeting, the association resolved to put the strike plan on hold.
“We have decided to withdraw the call for a statewide bus strike from January 24 after detailed discussions with the Chief Minister, the Transport Minister, and senior officials,” said Debendra Sahu, secretary of the Odisha Private Bus Owners Association, while speaking to reporters.
Earlier, the association had announced an indefinite strike to protest against the state government’s Mukhyamantri Bus Service (MBS), which operates buses connecting blocks and district headquarters. Private bus operators had expressed concerns that the MBS scheme was adversely affecting their business and reducing passenger footfall on private routes.
With the withdrawal of the strike call, normal private bus services across Odisha are expected to continue, bringing relief to commuters ahead of the Republic Day period. Government officials indicated that discussions with stakeholders would continue to address concerns related to route rationalisation and the coexistence of public and private transport services in the state.
-OdishaAge
