No decision on demand of private bus owners

The High Powered Technical Committee headed by the Transport Commissioner today couldn’t arrive at any recommendation on various demands made by the private bus operators as they sought more time to present their case before the committee.

Though the next meeting is scheduled to be held tomorrow, the association will communicate its preparedness on the matter to the chairman of the technical committee, sources said.

The All Orissa Private Bus Owners’Association (PBOA) has already called off the indefinite strike from yesterday. It is protesting against the collection of increased toll fee by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) at the toll gates in the state.

“No decision has been taken in today’s meeting and it has been deferred till tomorrow as the private operators sought more time to present their case in detail”, a senior transport department official associated with the process said. Since the payment of toll will add to the operating costs of the private buses, the association is seeking to minimise the impact on the passenger fare. Though various way out were discussed, no decision could be taken, the official added.