Private Bus Owners Call For Protest Against LAccMI Bus Service During Durga Puja

A 24-hour strike in western and southern Odisha is organized by the All Odisha Private Bus Owners Association on October 7 in protest of the introduction of Tier-II buses under the Location Accessible Multimodal Initiative (LAccMI) program. The intention of the strike, which is set to take place from October 7 to October 8 from 6 p.m., is to exert pressure on the government to reevaluate its choice.

Bus proprietors assert that no steps were taken to fulfill an unofficial pledge made by the previous administration to discontinue Tier-2 services. They said, “We committed to Tier-1 LAccMI buses, but nothing materialized on the ground.” In the next days, if their demands are not granted, the group threatens extended strikes.

The former BJD administration launched the LAccMI project to connect isolated communities. Owners of private buses, however, worry that Tier-II vehicles may interfere with their business. With Durga Puja festivities coming, the walkout may create delays to travelers. The group took this action in response to the government’s intentions to keep the LAccMI program in place. During Durga Puja, the controversy would affect public discourse in western and southern Odisha.