TV
No breakthrough has emerged yet as the state-wide strike called by the All Odisha Driver Mahasangha continued into its third consecutive day on Thursday, causing mounting disruptions across transport services and daily life. Despite multiple rounds of talks with the state government, the union has not withdrawn its ‘steering wheel off’ agitation.
With thousands of drivers halting operations, the Odisha Driver Mahasangha has pressed forward with its seven-point charter of demands, citing a lack of resolution from government negotiations.
Notably, the protest has impacted the movement of goods and passengers alike, raising fears of a supply bottleneck in the coming days.
The union is demanding the inclusion of auto-rickshaw drivers in the Driver Welfare Board, installation of toilets every 100 kilometres along state highways, protection against assaults on drivers, and preferential job allocation for Odia drivers in mining areas.
While extensive discussions with the Transport Minister took place yesterday, the outcome has so far yielded no definitive decision, keeping the stalemate firmly in place.
Stalemate Persists Despite High-Level Talks
Multiple high-level meetings were held yesterday, including a three-and-a-half-hour session at the Transport Minister’s residence and another two-and-a-half-hour discussion at Kharavela Bhavan in Bhubaneswar involving senior officials.
While the government has reportedly shown openness to several demands, including recognition of September 1 as ‘Driver’s Day’, it has stopped short of issuing formal assurances.
Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena had earlier stated that the government was serious about addressing the drivers’ concerns and had taken several proposals under consideration.
However, the absence of union president Prashant Menduli from these meetings has left further negotiations hanging, with district-level union leaders deferring any final decision until Menduli weighs in.
Public Transport Paralysed, Essential Services Spared
The ongoing protest has brought large sections of Odisha’s transport network to a standstill, affecting daily commuters, inter-district travel, and the movement of goods. Commercial operations, especially those dependent on private vehicles, have been hit hard in several districts.
However, the Mahasangha has clarified that drivers engaged in emergency services, including ambulances, fire services, and disaster response, have been exempted from the protest. The union has also reportedly ensured smooth passage for vehicles supplying essential commodities to minimise public hardship.
