Mahe: The dispute over bus services operated by the Puducherry Transport Corporation (PRTC) and the Mahe Cooperative Bus Society from the premises of the Railway station here is escalating into an inter-state row.

What began as a confrontation between autorickshaw drivers at the railway station premises and bus crew has now spiraled into altercations and even clashes. Autorickshaw drivers initially blocked four buses that lacked permits to operate from the station. Following this, the Vadakara RTO and Chombal Circle Inspector of Police intervened, reaching an agreement that allowed these four buses to start services from the Mahe border along the railway station road.

However, tensions have resurfaced since the other day when four buses each from the PRTC and the Cooperative Society resumed operations from the station premises. The bus crew argued that the move was based on an agreement among the concerned authorities. Autorickshaw workers, on the other hand, alleged that the Chombal CI had been misled and insisted that four of these buses would not be allowed to operate from the station.

The situation further worsened after the Mahe Motor Vehicle Inspector erected a barricade on Station Road near the border and issued a warning that fines would be imposed on autorickshaws entering Mahe without permits. This led to heated altercations. Meanwhile, the Mahe administration has clarified that, under an existing inter-state agreement, buses do not require special permits to operate from the railway station premises.

In an attempt to resolve the impasse, it has now been decided to convene a meeting of all concerned parties at the Mahe Government Guest House on September 29. Until then, only four buses will be permitted to operate services to the railway station.