Odisha transport disruption: Protest by nearly 4 lakh drivers hits public services
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An association of drivers of buses, trucks and other vehicles on Tuesday launched cease work, with thousands of drivers of buses, trucks, vans, taxis, auto rickshaws and other commercial vehicles demanding welfare measures for drivers in the state.Due to the protest by drivers, private bus services have been affected in several parts of the state, an official said.The drivers have been staging demonstrations and dharnas in various places across Odisha, an association leader said."Due to the protest by drivers, private bus service has been affected in several parts of the state. Commuters were seen waiting at bus stands in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Balasore, Rourkela, Berhampur, and Bolangir," the official said.Aditya Prasad Behera, treasurer of the association said they want a pension for drivers, who cannot drive after the age of 60.They also demanded death benefits, rest sheds every 100 km on major roads and compensation if a driver cannot work after an accident, he said.The association also demanded inclusion of autorickshaw drivers in the Odisha Motor Transport Drivers and Workers' Welfare Board constituted by the government, Behera said.Behera said the drivers engaged in emergency services and vehicles deployed in Puri Rath Yatra have not participated in the protest.Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said the government would discuss with the agitating drivers later on Tuesday.Admitting that the drivers have some genuine demands, Jena said he is hopeful that a solution would be arrived at the discussion.Public transportation was disrupted in various parts of the country on Wednesday following the 'Bharat Bandh' protests, called by ten central trade unions, intensified.In Odisha, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway at Bhubaneswar to support the 'Bharat Bandh'.In Kerala, shops and shopping malls in Kottayam remain closed in support of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by 10 central trade unions.Members of Biju Janata Dal's (RJD) students' wing blocked the train tracks at Jehanabad railway station in Bihar, supporting 'Bharat Bandh' called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates.In West Bengal, train services have been affected as protesters blocked tracks at various railway stations, including Jadavpur.Bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets on duty, a move initiated to ensure their safety.
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