Bhubaneswar: More than 35 people were detained and several vehicles seized on Wednesday as a protest by cab, auto-rickshaw and bike drivers entered its third day and disrupted traffic movement at several parts of the city, particularly near Master Canteen Square.
The protesting drivers, associated with ride-hailing platforms, gathered along Mahatma Gandhi Marg and intensified their agitation over a seven-point charter of demands. Hundreds of cabs, auto-rickshaws and bikes were seen parked along the road as protesters raised slogans and pressed for their demands.
The agitation also led to a road blockade near Master Canteen Square, affecting traffic movement and causing inconvenience to commuters. Police deployed additional personnel and put traffic diversions in place at several locations, including Vani Vihar, Rajmahal Square and Ram Mandir Square, to facilitate the movement of vehicles.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena said the situation was under control and police had cleared the roads on both sides of Master Canteen Square.
“We have now opened the stretches on both sides of Master Canteen Square, and the traffic situation is under control. All the protesters have dispersed, but we remain on alert as some of them may return,” Meena said.
He said more than 35 people had been detained during the police action and some of them were arrested and forwarded to court. Police also seized vehicles belonging to protesters that were found parked along Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
The DCP said the protesters had permission to stage a demonstration at Lower PMG for one day, which ended on August 17, but they returned on Wednesday and blocked the road near Master Canteen Square.
“The protesters had permission to hold a demonstration at Lower PMG for one day. However, they returned today and blocked the road near Master Canteen Square, causing inconvenience to the public,” Meena said.
Police said action was taken to clear the road and restore normal traffic movement. The DCP said those detained had been booked under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, wherever applicable.
The protest has disrupted app-based transport services across Bhubaneswar, leaving commuters struggling to find affordable and convenient modes of transportation.
The drivers have been demanding measures related to their seven-point charter and have intensified their agitation over the past three days. Hundreds of auto-rickshaws and other vehicles were seen parked along Mahatma Gandhi Marg during the protest.
With the agitation continuing, police said they were maintaining a strong presence at key traffic junctions and were prepared to take action if protesters attempted to block roads again.
By Wednesday afternoon, police said traffic movement had returned to normal in most parts of the city, though additional personnel remained deployed around Master Canteen Square to prevent further disruption.
