Dehra Dun, Jan 03: A strike by private bus operators in Uttaranchal demanding immediate stoppage of unauthorised small vehicles on the hilly roads, entered the third day today with nearly 1500 private buses staying off the roads forcing people to either postpone their journey or trek miles to reach their destination.

The bus operators also held protest rallies against the government at various places and threatened to intensify the stir if their demands were not met completely. The private bus operators are demanding that unauthorised and non-licensed small vehicles be stopped immediately in the hilly roads and the timings and the parking of such vehicles be regularised as these were affecting the business of private bus operators. They held protest demonstrations against the government at various places at Kumaon and Garhwal regions and threatened to block the traffic on January 7 and gherao the Vidhan Sabha on January 10, if nothing came out in their favour.

Admitting that bus strike has affected the transport system, state transport minister Hira Singh Bisht said the government is determined to provide a smooth transport for people of the state and had given instructions to the officials to run additional buses. He said 600 buses of state-owned roadways were running on different routes in the state and more such buses were being arranged.

The minister expressed hope that an accord would soon be reached between the government and the bus operators as the small vehicle unions has been asked to park their vehicles at a distance of one km from the bus stands and not to take the passengers from the stands. Bureau Report