After five days of paralyzed public transport, private buses in Odisha resumed operations on Saturday, bringing major relief to thousands of stranded passengers. The State Private Bus Owners’ Association made the decision following assurances from the Odisha government on security and response to drivers’ concerns.
The resumption comes in the midst of the ongoing strike by the All Odisha Driver Mahasangha, which had crippled inter-district and long-distance transport since Tuesday. From early morning, private buses were seen back on the roads in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other cities, partially restoring normalcy to the state’s travel system.
“Around 30 to 40 buses have already left the terminal. We’re happy to be back on duty and helping people commute while earning our daily wages,” said a driver at Bhubaneswar’s Baramunda Bus Terminal.
Five Days of Commuter Chaos
The drivers’ agitation had brought Odisha’s key bus terminals—including Baramunda (Bhubaneswar) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Terminal (Cuttack)—to a standstill. Passengers faced severe disruptions, including missed medical appointments, travel delays, and rising costs due to limited options. Only a few government-run ‘Ama Bus’ services operated during the strike, proving inadequate to meet demand.
The Protest and Key Demands
The ‘steering wheel off’ protest was launched over a seven-point charter of demands by the All Odisha Driver Mahasangha. These include:
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Social security measures
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Pension benefits
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Recognition as skilled workers
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Accident insurance coverage
Despite multiple negotiation rounds with the Transport Minister and top officials, the deadlock persisted until Friday evening.
While the strike has not officially ended, the return of private buses signals a temporary breakthrough, ensuring relief for both commuters and transport workers across the state.
