Bhubaneswar, May 14: Passenger bus services across Odisha may come to a standstill within the next two days due to an acute diesel shortage, the All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association warned on Thursday. The association expressed serious concern over the unavailability of diesel at several fuel stations, stating that private bus operators are facing increasing difficulties in continuing services.
Association General Secretary Debendra Sahu said the situation has become alarming, with many buses struggling to procure enough diesel for regular operations. He warned that if fuel availability does not improve immediately, private bus services across the state may be suspended, severely affecting daily commuters and transport connectivity.
Sahu stated that the fuel shortage is not limited to Odisha alone but is also impacting neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. As a result, interstate passenger vehicles are also facing operational difficulties, and many buses from outside states are reportedly unable to enter Odisha.
The association has urged the state government to intervene urgently and ensure uninterrupted diesel supply, especially for passenger transport vehicles. Bus owners cautioned that the current situation resembles the disruption witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when transport services across the state were heavily affected.
They warned that if immediate corrective measures are not taken, all private buses could go off the roads, creating major inconvenience for lakhs of passengers who depend on public transport for daily travel.
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