Bus strike in Orissa extended to the entire state

Intensifying their agitation, private bus operators in Orissa on Sunday kept the buses off the roads across the state in protest against toll fee collection by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Intensifying their agitation, private bus operators in Orissa on Sunday kept the buses off the roads across the state in protest against toll fee collection by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

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The strike, which was earlier confined only to National Highway - 5 and NH-5 (A), was extended to the entire state as a series of talks between the state government and bus owners association failed to yield result.

All Orissa Private Bus Owners Association (AOPBOA) had started the strike on the NH-5 and NH-5 (A) since October 1 opposing the toll fee.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had held discussion with senior officials and the transport minister, but the deadlock could not be resolved due to association's demands.

"There was no other option except extending the strike which had commenced on NH-5 and NH-5 (A) to the entire state", APB Secretary, Debasis Nayak said.