Bhubaneswar, July 8: A state-wide protest by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha demanding a separate law and other welfare measures brought public and freight transport to a halt across several districts today. The indefinite “steering-wheel strike” has impacted both urban and rural areas, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting daily movement.
In Rourkela, members of the Drivers’ Union began protesting at major intersections from 6 AM, blocking cars and preventing buses from departing Birsa Bus Stand and Sector-2. With autos, cars, and buses off the roads, passengers faced severe inconvenience.
Similar scenes were reported in Redhakhol, where over 1,000 drivers from Redhakhol and Nakti Deul blocks joined the strike near Bhima Bhoi College on NH-55. Though emergency vehicles like ambulances and school buses were exempted, transport of goods and public movement were heavily affected.
In Dharmashala block, nearly 3,500 drivers staged peaceful sit-ins at Jarka (NH-16) and Kantapada (NH-53). Leaders declared the protest would continue indefinitely until their seven-point charter of demands is addressed by the government.
Transport services in Malkangiri also came to a grinding halt as around 2,000 drivers gathered near NH-326. All private vehicles including buses, trucks, and autos were off the roads, affecting areas like Kalimela, Chitrakonda, and Pottangi. Major demands included rest sheds, welfare benefits, and allowances.
Meanwhile, in Khaprakhol block, hundreds of drivers under the leadership of Dilip Nayak joined the protest, leading to widespread disruption in local transport and public mobility.
The strike is expected to continue indefinitely, with the union demanding urgent attention from the state government. The protest has also raised concerns ahead of Wednesday’s nationwide labor strike and scheduled school activities.
