Odisha Drivers End Strike Ahead of President's Visit: What Led to Their Protest?
Drivers' Association Calls Off Protest
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, representing commercial vehicle operators such as bus and truck drivers, has decided to end their five-day strike.
This association, which boasts over 200,000 members, initiated a 'steering down' protest on July 8 to advocate for several demands, including pensions and rest areas for drivers.
Manas Debata, the state secretary of the association, announced the cessation of the strike on Saturday evening, coinciding with the anticipated visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Odisha.
"Our President, who hails from this region, is set to visit Odisha on July 14. We have chosen to halt our protest to maintain the state's reputation on a national scale," Debata informed reporters in Redhakhol, Sambalpur district.
Under the banner of the Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, thousands of drivers from various sectors, including buses, trucks, taxis, and auto rickshaws, participated in the strike to demand better welfare measures.
The protests have led to significant disruptions in private bus services across multiple regions in the state.
The drivers are advocating for pensions starting at age 60, death benefits, rest areas every 100 kilometers on major highways, inclusion of auto rickshaw drivers in the Odisha Motor Transport Drivers and Workers' Welfare Board, and the establishment of September 1 as 'Drivers' Day.'