OSRTC Bus Services Halted in Jeypore Over Unpaid Diesel Bills, Stranding Commuters
Commuters at the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus terminus in Jeypore were left stranded and frustrated on Saturday after services on several key routes were abruptly cancelled. The disruption was reportedly caused by the corporation's failure to clear pending diesel bills, leading to a fuel supply cutoff from the authorised petrol pump.
Chaos and Confusion at the Bus Stand
The sudden cancellation triggered widespread chaos at the bus stand, with many passengers arriving early for long-distance travel only to learn at the last minute that their buses would not operate. Affected routes included:
- Jeypore-Cuttack via Rayagada
- Jeypore-Cuttack via Srikakulam
- Jeypore-Sorada
- Jeypore-Phulbani
- Jeypore-Kamaladiha
- Jeypore-Parvatipuram
Advance bookings for these routes were cancelled, leaving numerous passengers in a difficult situation without alternative arrangements.
Passenger Distress and Financial Burden
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of confusion and distress, with families, elderly passengers, and daily commuters scrambling for information. Many were forced to explore costly private transport options, adding an unexpected financial burden. The absence of prior notice or coordinated crisis management by OSRTC exposed serious lapses in operational efficiency.
Ramesh Pradhan, a passenger waiting since early morning, expressed his frustration: "I had to travel to Cuttack for an urgent medical appointment, but after reaching here, I was told the bus wouldn’t operate. This is sheer negligence."
Another commuter, Sasmita Nayak, voiced similar concerns: "I was travelling to Parvatipuram for a family function. Now, I have to spend extra on private transport. This is harassment."
Root Cause: Unpaid Diesel Bills
Sources indicated that the crisis stemmed from the authorised petrol pump in Jeypore refusing to supply diesel to OSRTC buses due to non-payment of outstanding dues. This forced the suspension of services on multiple routes, highlighting financial management issues within the corporation.
Repeated attempts to contact DTM OSRTC (Jeypore) Aroshree Sahoo for an official response went unanswered, further compounding the lack of transparency and accountability in the situation.
Broader Implications for Regional Transport
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in public transport systems in Odisha's tribal hinterlands, where reliable services are crucial for connectivity and daily life. The disruption not only inconvenienced passengers but also raised questions about OSRTC's financial health and crisis preparedness.
As commuters grapple with the fallout, there is a pressing need for improved coordination and timely communication from transport authorities to prevent such occurrences in the future.
