Bhubaneswar, Sept. 24 (UDN): The Odisha Transport Department has suspended the permits of 354 auto-rickshaws for 45 days following alleged traffic disruption and disturbances during a protest at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar.
The action was taken by the Bhubaneswar RTO-1 in connection with an agitation involving online auto-rickshaw, cab and bike-taxi drivers.
In addition to the permit suspensions, authorities have issued e-challans to 181 auto-rickshaws for alleged violations, officials said.
Action Under Motor Vehicles Act
According to RTO-1 officials, proceedings were initiated against the vehicles following the reported disruption at Master Canteen Square. The concerned vehicle owners and drivers were given an opportunity to present their explanations during the proceedings.
The RTO said the explanations submitted during personal hearings were not found satisfactory and that action was subsequently taken under Section 86 of the Motor Vehicles Act, citing alleged obstruction and disruption of road traffic.
The permits of the 354 vehicles have consequently been suspended for 45 days.
Police Action in Master Canteen Incident
The transport department’s action follows police proceedings in connection with the disturbance. Commissionerate Police had arrested 115 auto-rickshaw drivers, according to the report, with 86 subsequently released from Jharpada Jail.
Earlier, authorities had also removed an auto-rickshaw stand near Master Canteen Square that was being operated by an online auto drivers’ association. A JCB was deployed to clear the structure and the area used for parking vehicles.
Several vehicles were also seized during the enforcement drive, with authorities reportedly finding some cases involving lack of valid insurance or permits.
Aggregator Policy in Focus
The developments followed a protest involving drivers associated with online platforms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido.
The state government has maintained that drivers are free to operate through online platforms or through offline services. Odisha’s aggregator policy, introduced in 2023, also provides for government-regulated fares and restricts aggregators from charging passengers above the prescribed rates.
With the latest permit suspensions, the enforcement action against vehicles involved in the Master Canteen incident is expected to remain a key issue among auto-rickshaw operators in Bhubaneswar.
Leave a Reply