Jamshedpur, March 22: In view of corona virus, plying of all inter-state buses from the steel city have been suspended from midnight.
The ban on operation of long-distance bus services from the Sitaramdera bus terminus and other parts of the city will remain effective till further notice.
East Singhbhum senior superintendent of police, Anoop Birtharay said that over 500 buses leave the Sitaramdera bus terminus to neighbouring states like Bengal, Odisha and also Bihar.
“Following directions from the government we have ordered the long distance bus operators not to ply to any destinations in Bengal, Odisha or Bihar and have decided not to allow any bus from these three states to enter into the city,” said Birtharay.
The senior SP pointed out that the restriction on the operation of long distance bus services has been made to ensure social distancing so as to stop the spread of dangerous coronavirus.
Jamshedpur Bus Owners Welfare Association’s (JBOWA) official confirmed that the association has stopped operation following an order from the district administration since midnight.
“We have no choice but to follow the orders. We have been asked to stop operation for the inter-state bus services from midnight, but it is not known for how long days the operation will remain suspended. We will cooperate as this is an indispensable need in view of checking the spread of coronavirus,” said the official.
Meanwhile, district transport officer, Dinesh Ranjan said that presently the administration has stopped inter-state bus, but inter-district bus services may also be stopped shortly.
“We are keeping an eye and it may also resort to stopping the inter-district or inter-city bus services anytime, depending on the situation involving the spread of the coronavirus,” the DTO said
Several people who were either leave the steel city by bus or catch a bus from Bihar to the steel city are facing tough time after the suspension of the inter-state bus service since the midnight.
