Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to stop plying Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) buses on 20 routes, Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera said on Saturday.
The minister said that the government had decided to run OSRTC buses on 66 routes during the lockdown period. However, it was found that the passenger turnout on 20 routes was negligible with a maximum of 5 passengers.
“Under such circumstances, we will be forced to stop the buses plying on these routes as the government cannot incur a huge loss,” he added.
Asked about the plying of buses for the ensuing Rath Yatra in Puri, Behera replied that no meeting has been held in this regard as yet. “Usually two meetings are held by this time every year on the plying of special buses. But not a single meeting has been held till date this year. We are waiting for the decision of the state government in this regard and will act as per its advice,” he pointed out.