Orissa to operate buses in Maoist-hit districts

With private bus operators withdrawing their services in Maoist infested districts of Orissa, the state government today decided to ply at least 100 passenger buses in such areas.
   
This was decided at a high-level meeting here chaired by chief secretary TK Mishra. "The government today decided to procure 100 buses to operate in Maoist hit areas", transport secretary S Sahoo told reporters.

Maoist attacks on buses had severely affected road communication in several districts, mostly in Gajapati, Rayagada and Malkangiri districts in southern region.

The meeting also decided to compensate the state run Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) whose four buses were recently torched by Maoists.