Cuttack, July 11(OT Webdesk) — In a major relief for commuters across Odisha, private bus services will resume from July 12, 2025, following a four-day-long strike that left thousands stranded across the state.
The decision comes after a pivotal meeting held by the All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association in Puri, aimed at resolving tensions that had brought over 13,000 buses to a grinding halt.
The strike, steered by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha, centred around growing unrest over the hit-and-run provision under Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, coupled with longstanding demands for insurance, social security, and fair wages.
Dubbed the “Quit Steering Wheel” movement, the protest amplified concerns over drivers’ working conditions, with many reportedly earning below Odisha’s average income.
The Mahasangha highlighted that these issues had remained unresolved despite repeated appeals.
With the strike ending and services resuming, daily transport flow is expected to normalise, bringing a sigh of relief to thousands of commuters, especially in rural and semi-urban belts dependent on private bus networks.
