Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Driver Mahasangha, an association of truck and bus drivers, has initiated an indefinite cease work strike, severely impacting transportation services across the state. The private bus and truck owners’ association of Odisha has also extended its support to the strike, leaving numerous passengers stranded and harassed.
The strike, which began on Tuesday, has brought the transportation sector to a grinding halt, with many people stuck at bus stops, waiting helplessly for vehicles to reach their destinations. The movement of goods has also been severely affected, causing widespread inconvenience.
Passengers have expressed frustration and helplessness due to the lack of clear communication about the strike’s impact on transportation services. Some passengers, like a man from Murshidabad in West Bengal, have been stuck at the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal in Bhubaneswar since morning, unsure whether buses will operate or not.
The Odisha Driver Mahasangha has put forth six key demands, including the inclusion of auto drivers in the Drivers’ Welfare Board, pension for drivers above 60 years of age, provision of restrooms and toilet facilities at regular intervals, parking slots every 100 km, laws to ensure driver security, and reservation of at least 70% jobs for Odisha drivers in mining and industrial areas. The association has also demanded that the government acknowledge the drivers’ contribution to the transport sector and declare September 1 as National Drivers’ Day.
Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has assured that the state government will engage in discussions with the drivers’ association to address their demands. He acknowledged that some of the demands are genuine and expressed confidence that the stalemate can be resolved through dialogue. The government is expected to work towards finding a solution to the crisis, which has brought the state’s transportation system to a standstill.
