Latest news with #OdishaDrivers'Mahasangha
Hans India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Drivers' Assn call off ‘cease work'
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, an association of drivers of commercial vehicles, including buses and trucks, on Sunday called off their five-day 'cease work' in the State. The Drivers' Association, having more than two lakh members, had launched a 'steering down' (cease work) protest on July 8 in support of their various demands, including pension and rest shed for them. Manas Debata, the Association State Secretary, announced the strike call-off on Saturday night in view of the upcoming visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Odisha. 'Our President, who belongs to this soil, is scheduled to visit Odisha on July 14. We have decided to call off our ongoing protest so that the image of our State would not be hampered at the national level,' Debata told mediapersons at Redhakhol in Sambalpur district. Under the banner of Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, thousands of drivers of buses, trucks, vans, taxis, auto rickshaws and other commercial vehicles had resorted to the cease work protest on July 8 demanding welfare measures for drivers in the State. The drivers staged demonstrations and 'dharnas' in different places across Odisha. Due to the protest by drivers, private bus service was affected in several parts of the State. The Association demanded pension for drivers after the age of 60, death benefits, rest sheds every 100 km on major roads, inclusion of auto rickshaw drivers in Odisha Motor Transport Drivers and Workers' Welfare Board and declaration of September 1 as 'Drivers' Day.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Drivers' strike paralyses public transport services, affects essential supplies in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Transport services, particularly public transport and supply of fuel and LPG, were severely affected as thousands of commercial vehicle drivers launched an indefinite strike to press for fulfilment of their various demands. Under the banner of Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, drivers of buses, trucks, commercial vans and taxis resorted to the 'quit steering wheel' protest, demanding various welfare and social security measures from the government. Public transport was the worst hit as private buses stayed off road and commuters across the state had to suffer immense problems. Devotees and visitors, who went to Puri to attend the Niladri Bije, the last ritual of Rath Yatra festival, had a harrowing time as they could not board buses or other public transport to return home. This resulted in a heavy rush at the railway station in Puri. Sources said on an average, at least 200 buses operate from Puri to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack daily. The number of buses operating from Puri to the Twin City goes up to 300 during festive seasons. With the number reducing to a trickle as only government buses operated, the people faced severe inconveniences. Meanwhile, supply of petrol, diesel and LPG to different parts of the state is set to be badly affected from Wednesday if the strike continues. 'Oil tanker drivers joined the protests on Tuesday. But, they have been asked to report to duty on Wednesday so that petrol and diesel can be loaded from four depots in Jatni, Paradip, Balasore and Jharsuguda, and delivered at the fuel stations across the state. If they continue, there will be an oil crisis at hand,' said general secretary of Utkal Petroleum Dealers' Association, Sanjay Lath. Though the supply of essential commodities like vegetables was not affected on the day, traders' bodies are apprehensive that the strike could lead to shortage if the cease work carries on. 'Vegetables were delivered in Bhubaneswar markets as usual on Tuesday. However, we are anticipating the strike will possibly affect the supply a day later,' said Rajdhani Pariba (vegetables) Byabasayee Mahasangha president, Kabi Swain. 'Many essential commodities are imported from other states, and the supply remained unaffected on the day. However, serious difficulties can emerge while transporting goods from wholesalers to retailers if the strike is not called off,' said the general secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha, Sudhakar Panda.
