Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): The bus services will resume in Odisha from today as the State Government on Wednesday has announced relaxations while extending the partial lockdown till July 16.
However, the relaxation for movement of buses is applicable for only 20 districts.
The districts are Angul, Boudh, Balangir, Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sonepur, Sundargarh and Sambalpur. The districts have been classified under Category-A.
Buses can run with full capacity between Category-A districts in strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. However, standing of passengers will not be allowed in the buses, said Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra in the press briefing today.
Sanitisation of the buses should be frequently done to avoid transmission of COVID-19. Those found violating the safety norms will be penalised. Passengers without mask will not be allowed to board a bus.
Besides, two-wheelers with a pillion rider and four-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, taxis including cabs and auto-rickshaws by Ola, Uber, etc are allowed with a driver and upto two passengers in the back seat for all purposes in these 20 districts during the allowed time period.
The state Government has instructed local administration to conduct surprise checking frequently.
