Ilam, Jan 20: The traffic on the Ilam-Birtamod and Ilam-Fidim portion of the Mechi Highway have come to a standstill for an indefinite period from today as a dispute erupted on the running of bus services.

The Ilam-Dharan and Biratnagar bus operators agitation committee have closed bus services on the Ilam-Dharan and Biratnagar routes as the buses were stopped by the bus operators in Birtamod.

The agitation committee was formed under the initiative of the Ilam municipality as the bus service was obstructed soon after its commencement in Mangsir, 2056 B.S.

The agitation committee has said that the decision to stop bus services for an indefinite period was reached as the transport was obstructed despite an agreement reached between the committee, the Mechi Transportation Association, the Kankai transport association and the Mechi Hills Transportation Association.To run the service turn by turn during various joint meetings on Mangsir 28.

The agitation committee warned that if the services are not allowed to resume by the obstructers, the services on other sectors will also be closed.