The Odisha State Transport Department has suspended the permits of 354 auto-rickshaws for 45 days and initiated procedures to cancel their registration certificates entirely.
This strict action follows a violent protest at Bhubaneswar's Master Canteen Square, where online ride-hailing app drivers staged illegal blockades and scuffled with police while demanding government fare regulations.
Key Details of the Crackdown:
Arrests and Seizures: Police arrested 115 drivers for violence, seizing all 354 participating vehicles, which are currently held at reserve grounds. Some drivers have since received bail.
Illegal Operations: Transport inspections revealed that many of the protesting auto-rickshaws were operating without valid permits.
Union Apology: Amidst the fallout, the Smart City Online Auto-Taxi Drivers' Union has issued a public apology for the severe commuter inconvenience and appealed for the release of the seized vehicles.