Bhubaneswar, July 10 (OT Webdesk): As the state-wide strike by the All Odisha Driver Mahasangha reaches its third day, transport services across the region continue to reel under severe disruption.
The protest, termed “steering wheel off”, has grounded thousands of passenger vehicles and halted goods movement, sparking concerns across districts.
The union’s seven-point charter includes demands for the inclusion of auto-rickshaw drivers in the Driver Welfare Board, the construction of public toilets at regular highway intervals, enhanced protection against assaults, and employment preference for Odia drivers in mining-related jobs.
Despite back-to-back high-level meetings held at the Transport Minister’s residence and Kharavela Bhavan on Wednesday, talks remain inconclusive. The absence of union president Prashant Menduli has reportedly delayed any formal resolution, with local leaders awaiting his directive.
Emergency services—including ambulances and fire brigades—remain unaffected. To mitigate public hardship, the union has permitted the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.
With no clear end in sight, the strike continues to pose logistical challenges, testing the state’s capacity to negotiate and resolve grassroots labour concerns.
