Movement of oil tankers, LPG at Paradip affected

The strike call by Odisha Driver Mahasangh severely affected the public transport system across the state on Tuesday causing hardship to commuters.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Auto rickshaw drivers exploited the situation by fleecing stranded commuters.

The Mahasangh members said during the BJD rule, they had launched a strike and placed their demands including security, insurance cover for death due to accidents etc. At that point in time the BJP which was in opposition had promised to fulfill our demand if it is voted to power. A year has passed and we have repeatedly appealed to the BJP government to fulfill their promise. Nothing has been done forcing us to resort to agitation, they stated while sitting on dharna at various bus stands.

They demanded that drivers above sixty years of age be provided pension, parking slots every 100 km, rest rooms, toilet facilities etc. They also stated that empowering the police to check vehicles and levy fines has led to undue harassment. The State accounts for nearly five lakh drivers of commercial vehicles.