Traffic hit in Bhubaneswar as drivers stage rally in capital city

Bhubaneswar: Movement of vehicles was affected in some parts of Odisha capital today as members of Odisha Drivers’ Association staged a rally here.

Demanding fulfillment of 10-point charter of demands, the agitators resorted to a protest rally at Master Canteen here and have decided to march towards Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

They staged road blockade at Master Canteen Square bringing vehicular movement to a grinding halt. Thousands of protesters had already reached the city, early this morning.

Traffic jam was also witnessed at Rasulgarh, Vani Vihar, Rajmahal, Acharya Vihar and Jayadev Vihar here today.

The demands of the agitators include enactment of a special law for the protection of drivers, Rs 20 lakh compensation to family in the case of death of a driver, insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh, pension for drivers after 55 years of age, housing scheme for drivers and facility of higher education for children of drivers.

The Mo Bus service was also affected on several routes due to the strike. The service on route nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 50 and 70 were stopped while the same on route nos. 20, 21, 22A, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35 were diverted.

📢Notice

Due to the Driver Mahasanga rally, #MoBus service has been disrupted across several routes. Rt. Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 50 & 70 have been stopped & 20, 21, 22A, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34 & 35 have been diverted.

We deeply regret the inconvenience caused.

— Capital Region Urban Transport (@CRUT_BBSR) April 18, 2022