20,000 buses on strike in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jun 21 (UNI) Bus services in Chhattisgarh came to a halt today with about 20,000 private buses remaining off the road to press for hike in bus fare.

The one-day strike was called by the Chhattisgarh Bus Owners Association.

There is no government transport service in the state and people have to depend on the privates buses only. Bus owners are demanding increase in the fare following the hike in diesel price.

''The strike is total and the state government's attitude of ignoring problem compelled us to proceed on strike,'' Association President Pramod Dube told UNI here.

He said the bus fare was not increased since 2005 though diesel price increased by Rs 13 per litre and the hike in iron price led to increase in the price of spare parts.

''The main demand is to set a permanent mechanism to revise the fare as prevalent in neighbouring states,'' he added.

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