Bhubaneswar, Jul 12: Odisha’s private bus services are set to return to normal from today, even as the state continues to witness an ongoing strike by drivers. The decision was taken by the Private Bus Owners’ Association during a crucial meeting held in Puri yesterday.
Devendra Sahu, Secretary of the Association, stated that the move was aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by passengers due to the disruption in transportation. “Government-run buses alone cannot cater to the growing passenger demand across the state. Hence, we have decided to resume full-fledged operations to ensure commuters are not left stranded,” he said.
The association highlighted that over 17,000 private buses ply daily across Odisha’s 30 districts, serving as a backbone of the state’s public transport. With the strike continuing, passengers in many areas were left with limited or no travel options. Normalcy is also expected to return in Cuttack, as the Cuttack Bus Owners’ Association has announced that it will not be participating in the drivers’ strike.
While operations resume, the association has urged the state government to ensure adequate security for buses and drivers willing to work, amidst the tense atmosphere created by the ongoing agitation.
The statewide drivers’ strike, spearheaded by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha, has severely disrupted transportation, impacting hundreds of thousands of daily commuters. The Mahasangha, which represents around 5 lakh drivers, has put forth a list of demands. These include the inclusion of auto-rickshaw drivers under the Odisha Motor Transport Drivers and Workers Welfare Board, enactment of a special protection law for drivers, a professional driver allowance post-retirement at age 60, designated parking zones and rest houses, 70% job reservation for Odia drivers in industries like mines and factories, and official recognition of September 1 as National Driver’s Day.
As the impasse continues, the government is yet to announce any concrete steps to resolve the drivers’ concerns. Meanwhile, the return of private buses is expected to bring significant relief to passengers struggling with disrupted travel across the state.
