Bhubaneswar: Normal life was thrown out of gear across Odisha on Wednesday due to drivers’ strike and the countrywide Bharat Bandh call given by different trade unions and farmers’ outfits. Transport services, particularly public transport and supply of fuel and LPG, were severely affected.
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 and Bhubaneswar.
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.
As bus and other public transport services got severely affected in most parts of the state due to the bandh, common people faced enormous difficulties. Though trains were running as usual, people were anxious about whether protestors might picket at stations by stopping the trains.
A large number of commuters were stranded at Baramunda bus terminal in Bhubaneswar as no bus was plying. “Though I have urgent work in Kandhamal, I am unable to proceed as there is no bus. I have no idea how long I will have to wait to get a bus,” said a man waiting for a bus at Baramunda terminal.
Similar was the situation at Netaji Subhas Chandra bus terminal in Cuttack and other bus stands in the state. As most areas in the state are not connected with railway networks, people still depend on bus services.Public transportation
Apprehending possible face-off with protestors, many bus owners have stopped running buses on different routes connecting Bhubaneswar.
Similarly, the countrywide Bharat Bandh was called to protest the implementation of four labour codes, increase in working hours, and the decriminalisation of violations of labour laws by employers.
Around ten trade unions, farmers’ outfits led by Samyukt Kisan Morcha, and agricultural workers’ unions supported the all-India strike. The protesters staged demonstrations in front of railway stations, bus stands/terminals, govt offices, highways, and busy squares as a mark of protest in different district and block headquarters in the state.
They also conducted picketing at busy squares of cities, in front of different central govt offices, and major institutions, demanding the fulfilment of their 17-point charter of demands.
In Bhubaneswar, protestors staged a demonstration at Master Canteen, near the railway station, blocking vehicular traffic for an hour in the morning as a mark of protest. A workers’ union held picketing in front of Utkal University’s main gate.
National Vice President of INTUC, Ramachandra Khuntia, said the demands of workers have been ignored for the last several years. The government has not convened any proper dialogue or negotiation with Trade Unions, while many promises, including implementation of the 17-point charter of demands, remain unfulfilled, he said.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.