Private bus owners in Odisha called off the state-wide strike this evening, following an assurance by the administration that it would look into their demands.
Over 17,000 buses had stopped plying after the strike call given by the All Odisha Private Bus Owners Association (AOPBOA), leaving commuters stranded at many places.
"The state government, which held discussion with leaders of the association, has agreed to fulfil almost all our demands. Therefore, we have decided to call off the strike," AOPBOA spokesman Debasish Nayak told reporters.
The association has been demanding separate routes for city and long-route private buses, and roll back of hike in tax.
On the association's protest against plying of city buses on long routes, Nayak said the Odisha government will form a high-level committee and take a decision on the basis of its report within three months.
The association alleged that city bus services are a major threat to private buses, since the state government allowed them to operate outside the city limits.
Earlier in the day, a large number of commuters were stranded at bus stands and a heavy rush was witnessed in state government-run buses, police said.
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