Odisha govt’s transport network scheme triggers row
Private bus operators postpone strike.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to roll out the LAccMI scheme at Malkangiri on October 12. (File Photo) The Odisha government’s Rs 3,178 crore new public transport network programme – Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) – establishing connectivity between gram panchayats and state capital triggered a row with the private bus operators in the state raising strong objections over its implementation, on Monday.
While Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to roll out the LAccMI scheme at Malkangiri on October 12, the private transport operators announced to go on protest from Tuesday but postponed it to October 31 following an assurance from the government that it would look into their demands.
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.
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