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New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bharat Bandh, Odisha drivers' strike cripple transport, fuel supply across state
BHUBANESWAR: The nationwide 'Bharat Bandh' called by the trade unions affiliated with the Left parties and the Odisha Driver Mahasangha's ongoing 'quit steering wheel' protest, participated in by thousands of commercial vehicle drivers, crippled normal life in the state on Wednesday. The 10 central trade unions and their affiliates are observing Bharat Bandh alleging that the central government is implementing economic reforms that undermine workers' rights. While both the strikes have crippled transport services, especially private bus operations, the supply of essential commodities is expected to take a severe hit in the next 24 hours. "Trucks transporting vegetables and fruits from various states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka and others arrived on Tuesday night as there was no effect on them due to the protest called by Odisha Driver Mahasangha. However, whether the trucks will be able to reach Odisha on Wednesday night because of the Bharat Bandh remains to be seen," said Chhatra Bazaar Byabasai Sangha secretary Debendra Nath Sahoo. The strike called by Odisha Driver Mahasangha has affected the local supply of vegetables from places like Angul, Bargarh, Jajpur, Puri and others. If the trucks from other states do not arrive at night, the supply of vegetables and fruits will be severely impacted, he added. Both the Bharat Bandh and the Odisha Driver Mahasangha's protest have also severely affected the supply of petrol and diesel across the state. "Some drivers have joined the protest and some reported to duty. However, after the fuel was loaded from the four depots in Jatni, Paradip, Balasore and Jharsuguda, the protestors did not allow the oil tankers to proceed towards their delivery destinations on the day," said general secretary of Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association, Sanjay Lath. On an average, about 3,600 kilolitres of petrol and 8,500 kilolitres of diesel are loaded from the four depots every day and delivered to various petrol pumps in the state.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Transportation services hit as drivers begin strike
Bhubaneswar: Transportation services were affected severely across the State as the Odisha Driver Mahasangha, an association of truck and bus drivers, on Tuesday launched the 'cease work strike' for an indefinite period over six key demands. The strike left many passengers stranded and harassed. The Private Bus and Truck Owners' Association of Odisha has also lent support to the cease work strike by the drivers. The strike has left the passengers in a lurch as many people were seen stranded at bus stops helplessly waiting for just any vehicle to reach their destinations. The transportation of goods has also been severely affected due to the strike. 'We came from Kolkata by private bus and were supposed to return today. But we've been stuck here since morning with no clear update on whether buses will run or not. It's very confusing and troubling,' said a man from Murshidabad in West Bengal stranded at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal in Bhubaneswar. Echoing similar concerns, another passenger said, 'We've been sitting here for hours. Some say the buses will run, some say they won't. There is no clear communication. We're tired and helpless.' The passengers urged the Odisha government to take swift action to resolve the deadlock. The association has called the strike demanding inclusion of auto drivers in the Drivers' Welfare Board, pension for drivers above 60 years of age, restrooms and toilet facilities at regular intervals, parking slots at every 100 km and laws to ensure driver security from public threat. They have also demanded that at least 70 per cent jobs for drivers in the mining and industrial areas of the State be reserved for Odisha drivers. The drivers have also demanded that the government acknowledge their contribution to the transport sector and declare September 1 as the National Drivers' Day. Speaking about the strike call, Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena on Tuesday said that the State government will hold discussions with drivers' association over their demands.
