The youth wing of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) launched a strong protest in Bhubaneswar against the steep traffic fines under the new Motor Vehicles Act.
To begin with, dozens of youth leaders and workers sat on the road in front of the Regional Transport Office (RTO). They held posters and banners that criticised the government’s penalty policy. Some banners declared, “Increased fines are oppression on Odia people,” while others displayed red crosses over photographs of government leaders.
Moreover, protesters argued that the revised fines had become excessively high, creating hardship for ordinary citizens. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased penalties. In addition, several leaders addressed the gathering with microphones, urging public support and condemning what they described as an unjust burden on people.
As the protest continued, traffic congestion built up on the service road of National Highway-1 near the RTO office. Consequently, police deployed personnel at the site to maintain order and ensure safety.
Furthermore, BJD leaders emphasised that while following traffic rules is important, fines should not be so steep that they become unbearable. They accused the government of financially exploiting citizens. For instance, they contrasted the Subhadra Yojana, which provides women with Rs 5,000, with the heavy fines that they claimed “loot” men of Rs 50,000.
In conclusion, the protest highlighted growing public discontent over traffic penalties. Observers believe that unless the government responds, the agitation could escalate into a larger movement in the coming days.
