Bhubaneswar’s Public Transport Paralyzed as Ama Bus Drivers Launch ‘Steering Down’ Protest

Bhubaneswar, September 13, 2025 — Public transport in Odisha’s capital came to a grinding halt on Saturday as Ama Bus drivers staged a dramatic ‘steering down’ protest, demanding timely salaries and improved working conditions.

The protest saw 43 buses parked at the Pokhariput depot, leaving thousands of commuters stranded across key city routes.

Drivers claimed their August salaries were delayed until September 11, and September payments remained pending, forcing them to take action.

Beyond salary delays, the drivers cited poor working conditions, including a lack of restroom facilities, no weekly offs, and excessive duty hours due to staff shortages.

They also alleged non-receipt of Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) benefits, blaming the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) for repeated lapses.

Despite the disruption, city authorities have yet to issue an official response. The protest has sparked widespread concern over the reliability of Bhubaneswar’s public transport system and the treatment of its frontline workers.