Bhubaneswar- With the statewide drivers’ strike entering its third day, Odisha is staring at a looming fuel crisis. The indefinite agitation by commercial vehicle operators has brought the transportation of petrol, diesel, and LPG to a near standstill, prompting fears of a full-blown shortage in the coming days.
According to Sanjay Lath, General Secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association, fuel tankers have not reached petrol pumps across the state for the last 48 hours. “If tankers do not arrive today, we will begin to see visible shortages from tomorrow. Several stations are already out of fuel,” Lath warned. He added that major depots in Paradip, Balasore, Jatni, and Jharsuguda are currently non-operational due to the ongoing protest.
The strike, launched by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha, has paralyzed both public and private transport systems, disrupting essential supply chains. The protest, named the ‘Quit Steering’ movement, has united drivers of trucks, buses, vans, taxis, and auto-rickshaws in opposition to recent government policies and in demand of better social security.
Among the core demands are pension benefits for drivers above 60, Rs20 lakh insurance coverage, and inclusion of auto-rickshaw drivers under the state’s welfare board for transport workers. The drivers are also seeking a rollback of the state’s decision to allow police direct authority over vehicle checks—something they view as arbitrary and harassing. Additional demands include 70% job reservation for local drivers in industrial sectors like mines and factories, and formal recognition of September 1 as National Drivers’ Day.
The government is yet to respond to the demands in full, and there are growing concerns that if the deadlock continues, law enforcement may have to intervene to facilitate the transport of fuel and essential goods. Meanwhile, motorists and the general public are beginning to feel the pinch, as queues at operational fuel stations lengthen and public transportation options dwindle.
As the situation intensifies, all eyes remain on the state government and striking drivers—hoping for a quick resolution before Odisha grinds to a halt.
