Bhubaneswar: In view of the indefinite bus strike called by the Drivers’ Mahasangh, the nodal organisation of different drivers associations, from March 15, members of the All Odisha Bus Owners’ Association met DGP Sunil Bansal on Tuesday to discuss the law and order situation during the protest.
Members of the Bus Owners’ Association told the DGP that they were determined to maintain the private bus service but apprehended that the strike may affect the movement of about 14,000 buses in the state. If this happens, the common man will bear the brunt of the strike by the drivers, they added.
On the other hand, the drivers’ organisation has been demanding pension, premature death benefits and life insurance. In addition, the drivers have demanded the construction of rest sheds every 100 km on major roads and compensation if a driver is incapacitated after an accident.
The members of the Mahasangh include trucks, cabs, ambulances, autorickshaws, buses and drivers of other private vehicles.
“Though we staged demonstrations in Bhubaneswar in 2021 and 2022l, our demands have been ignored. So, we have decided to go on an indefinite strike from March 15,” said Mahasangha leader Prasanta Menduli.
He claimed that nearly five lakh members of the Mahasangh will resort to strike from Wednesday.
On the other hand, members of the Odisha Motor Chalak Sangha have announced that they would not support the strike by the Mahasangha.
