Strike over fare and fee demands turns confrontational in city centre
BHUBANESWAR: A strike by app-based cab drivers and bike-riders in Bhubaneswar that began as a cease-work protest on August 17 turned violent on August 19, with protesters allegedly hurling stones at police personnel and vandalising government-run Ama buses at PMG Square and along Mahatma Gandhi Marg, police said.
Drivers and riders registered with multiple online ride-hailing platforms began the agitation seeking implementation of a seven-point charter of demands, including a fare hike, reduction in application fees and social-security benefits. Hundreds of taxis and bikes assembled for a rally at Raj Mahal Square before parking along MG Marg, blocking the road and affecting traffic around Master Canteen and the railway-station area.
"It is a completely illegal protest. We have detained more than 30 people. The vehicles parked on the road will also be seized, and legal action will be taken against them," Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena said.
Police said they had permitted the demonstrators to hold a one-day protest at MG Marg on August 17, but the agitators continued the action for two additional days, creating inconvenience to the public. When officers sought to clear the thoroughfare on Wednesday, the situation escalated, leading to clashes in which some police personnel sustained injuries, the force added.
- Protest start: August 17 — authorised for one day at MG Marg.
- Escalation: August 19 — rally from Raj Mahal Square; vehicles parked along MG Marg; stone-pelting and vandalism reported.
- Police response: Detention of more than 30 protesters; seizure of vehicles; lathi-charge reported in visuals circulated by news agencies.
Officials said several Ama city buses were damaged during the unrest. Senior police officers described the action as unlawful because it targeted private companies yet disrupted public movement on a major city road. The force warned of legal proceedings against those involved and confirmed that vehicular movement had resumed after police intervention.
What the protesters want
The demonstrators presented a seven-point charter demanding changes from ride-hailing platforms and authorities. The demands reported by police and in protesters' statements include:
| Demand | Reported aim |
|---|---|
| Fare hike | Increase per-ride earnings for drivers and riders |
| Reduction in application fees | Lower cost of onboarding on platforms |
| Social security | Benefits such as insurance or pension-like schemes |
Police officials characterised the demands as aimed at private companies and said the government had no direct role in those commercial decisions. They added that would not justify blocking a major road or damaging public property.
Visuals and agency reports showed law-and-order steps being taken to disperse the agitators, including a police baton charge. Several protesters were detained and their vehicles impounded as part of action to restore normalcy. Authorities said they will launch legal proceedings against those found responsible for stone-pelting and vandalism.
Impact on commuters and precautions
The strike severely affected passengers and daily commuters: a large number of app-based cabs, bike-taxis and auto-rickshaws remained off the roads during the three-day action. The police advised commuters to use alternative public-transport routes and plan additional travel time for journeys around the central city until full normalcy is restored.
Residents and office-goers in the Master Canteen, railway-station and PMG Square areas were urged to remain cautious and avoid the affected stretch of MG Marg while the police complete seizure proceedings and investigations. Motorists were asked to follow directions of traffic police and use diversions where indicated.
As the city moves to restore order, authorities face the task of balancing protesters' grievances with maintenance of public safety and uninterrupted movement on arterial roads. Police have said detainees will face appropriate legal action; investigations into damage to public buses and attacks on personnel are under way.
