The bus strike demanding immediate repair of NH-49 and NH-18, which pass through the Mayurbhanj district, entered its sixth day on Sunday.
With the concerned authorities apparently not coming forward to solve the problem and end the deadlock so far, public discontent now seems to be growing over the issue, and the demand for repair and proper maintenance of the National Highways passing through the district appears to be gaining momentum. Consequently, normal life in the district now remains paralysed to some extent.
In response to a call given by the Mayurbhanj Bus Owners’ Association to stop plying of the buses on NH-49 and 18 in order to protest against potholes and over-all bad conditions of these highways, 95 buses of the district, in all, have gone off the road since Tuesday.
Besides, the Baripada Bar Association, Mayurbhanj Car Owners’ Association and several other local organizations have now extended support to the strike.
Different political leaders too, cutting across party line, have raised their voice for the immediate repair of these national highways.
Some of them, including former Minister and sitting Bangriposi BJD MlA Sudam Marandi, have even threatened to intensify the agitation, if the demands were not met.
It may be noted here that the parts of the NH-49 and 18 passing through the district have been in a bad shape for quite some time now. The conditions in different portions of these roads are so worrisome and precarious that patients, students, Government employees and people belonging to different other sections of the society presently face a lot of hardship while going through these roads. This has thus remained a cause of concern and dissatisfaction among the people of Mayurbhanj for the last few months.