Odisha govt’s transport network scheme triggers row

Under the LAccMI scheme, the bus network will be connecting panchayats with the block headquarters and block to district headquarters. “The government has decided to run 1,600 buses including 1,000 buses from panchayat to block level and 600 buses from block to district and state capital. During a discussion with us, the government assured that they will now run the LAccMI buses from panchayat to block level only and not beyond the block,” said Debendra Sahu, general secretary of Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association.

As the private operators requested the government to procure their buses for operating under the transport network programme, Sahu said a meeting has been scheduled on October 13 to further discuss it.

“We have no objection to the operation of buses from panchayat to block level. But the operators will face heavy loss if the government will ply buses from block to district headquarter level. If they want to go ahead with the scheme, they should hire buses and compensate us accordingly,” said Sahu.

“Transportation is a major growth engine for the growth of the economy. Though, road infrastructure has been enhanced in Odisha but the corresponding public transportation is yet to take off. Accordingly, the state government has proposed to provide reliable and affordable public transport across the state focusing on the rural areas,” said a senior transport department official.

Bus operation under this scheme has been planned to reduce the gap between rural areas and major towns and economic hubs across the state. It would be implemented in a phased manner while the tenure of the scheme would be for 10 years, said official sources.