Bhubaneswar- With the drivers’ strike continuing to affect transport operations across Odisha, the state government has stepped in to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply and steady movement of essential commodities. A high-level meeting was convened on July 9 under the leadership of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena to review the situation and formulate a coordinated strategy.
Top officials from various departments, including the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP, Principal Secretaries of Commerce & Transport and Food Supplies, the Transport Commissioner, and representatives from oil marketing companies (OMCs), attended the meeting. The collective goal was to safeguard the state’s supply chain from any disruptions resulting from the ongoing agitation.
The minister reaffirmed the state government’s willingness to hold discussions with the agitating drivers and appealed to them to call off the strike in the interest of public welfare and the state’s economic stability.
To ensure efficient coordination and ground-level execution, a special task force has been constituted. This team includes personnel from the Transport Department, police forces, district administration, and OMCs. The task force will operate continuously to oversee the movement of fuel tankers and other critical logistics, remove any operational hurdles, and deploy security as required.
Dispelling fears of a looming fuel shortage, the government clarified that petrol and diesel supplies remain stable, with oil companies confirming that depots and retail outlets have sufficient stocks. Regular fuel deliveries are being carried out across major locations, and the state’s average daily requirement of 600 tankers is being effectively met.
The government has urged citizens not to panic or resort to hoarding. It also appealed to the public to avoid sharing unverified or misleading information on social media platforms.
