Bhubaneswar: More than 15 government-run Ama buses were damaged as the ongoing strike by app-based cab, auto-rickshaw, and bike-taxi drivers in Bhubaneswar turned violent on Wednesday, causing estimated losses of around ₹10 lakh in repairs.
The agitation, involving drivers and riders from platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido, began on August 17 over a seven-point charter of demands that includes a fare hike, lower application fees, social security benefits, and other measures.
Earlier in the day, the agitators took out a rally from Raj Mahal Square and parked vehicles along Mahatma Gandhi Marg, causing severe traffic blockades around Master Canteen, PMG Square, and the Bhubaneswar railway station. Tensions flared when police attempted to clear the blocked routes. Protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, causing injuries to several police personnel and severely damaging passing and parked Ama buses.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed that over 30 individuals have been detained, and several vehicles have been impounded. “They blocked the major city road, causing inconvenience to the public. It is a completely illegal protest. They were allowed to demonstrate on Mahatma Gandhi Marg for one day on August 17. 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,” he said.
The DCP called the demands ‘illogical’, noting that the protest was being staged against private companies rather than state authorities.
Meanwhile, CRUT has strongly condemned the vandalism. The agency noted that Ama Bus serves more than 3.5 lakh daily passengers, including students, senior citizens, women, and workers. Damage to the fleet causes financial loss to public property and disrupts essential mobility for ordinary citizens. It has requested Odisha Police to take action against those responsible under applicable laws, including the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, where applicable.
To mitigate inconvenience from the suspension of app-based services, CRUT has already introduced special Ama Bus shuttle services linking Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar railway station, and Baramunda BSABT. Some bus services, however, were advised to operate on diverted routes and skip the terminal temporarily due to the law-and-order situation at Master Canteen.
The CRUT has appealed to public who have photographs, videos, or other visual evidence of the incidents to share the material with police and authorities to aid identification of those involved. The organisation urged all stakeholders to maintain peace, refrain from damaging public property or obstructing transport services, and resolve grievances through lawful and democratic means.
Despite the disruptions, CRUT reaffirmed its commitment to keeping public transport operational to the maximum extent possible and called for cooperation in protecting infrastructure that serves the people of Odisha.
