Mayurbhanj Bus Conductor Punished for Forcing Schoolboys to Travel 25 km Over Fare Dispute

Bhubaneswar : In a disturbing incident highlighting neglect and insensitivity, a government-run ‘Mukhyamantri Bus’ conductor in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district forced two minor boys to travel nearly 25 kilometres beyond their stop after they failed to pay a fare of just ₹10.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when Piyush, a Class VI student from Baishinga, and his cousin Rohit, a Class VII student from Nadpur, boarded the bus at Nadpur Chhak to travel to Baishinga. Since they did not have money, the boys assured conductor Pratap Baitha of Dariha village that Piyush’s father would pay upon their arrival at Baishinga bus stand.

However, when the bus reached Baishinga, Piyush’s father was not present. Instead of ensuring the children’s safety, the conductor refused to allow them to get down and compelled them to continue until the last stop at Kanthi in the Kalama area, nearly 25 km away.

The ordeal ended only after two hours when the bus returned to Baishinga. By then, the worried family and locals confronted the conductor at Baishinga market. In an unusual display of public anger, the villagers made him apologise and even forced him to do sit-ups as punishment for his insensitive behaviour.

The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who have demanded strict action against the conductor and greater accountability in the operation of the Mukhyamantri Bus service, which was launched to provide safe and affordable transport.