Fuel Crisis in Odisha:STA Holds Resolve With Private Bus Operators; Dedicated Diesel Stations
Manoj Kanta DashOdishabarta
Nothing to Panic Govt. Concern for Public Interest;Amitabh Thakur, Commissioner, STA
Cuttack: Bus and truck owners in Odisha warned of suspending operations over fuel shortages, prompting the STA to seek 48 hours to restore supply amid stranded vehicles, long queues and growing panic across the State.
The Odisha government on Friday held a high-level meeting with transport operators and oil companies to ensure uninterrupted public transport services amid complaints of inadequate fuel supply to buses and trucks.
The meeting was held at the State Transport Authority (STA) office under the chairmanship of the Transport Commissioner on the instructions of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena. Representatives of the State Truck Owners Association, Bus Owners Association, major oil companies and the state coordinator attended the meeting.
During the discussions, bus and truck owners alleged that they were not receiving sufficient fuel. Following the complaints, several short-term measures were decided to avoid any disruption in transport operations.
According to the decisions taken, separate petrol pumps will be reserved exclusively for buses and trucks in every district. Vehicle owners will also submit details of the oil depots and fuel outlets they had been using earlier, while the identified outlets will be directed to maintain adequate fuel stock at all times.
For the convenience of truck operators, dedicated fuel pumps will also be identified along National Highways in each district. The state government and oil companies will jointly monitor fuel supply to these designated outlets based on the daily fuel requirements of commercial vehicles.
The government appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumours regarding fuel availability and assured that public transport services across the state would continue to operate normally.
Senior officials of the Transport Department were present at the meeting.
