The strike of truck and bus drivers for the second day on Tuesday had a widespread impact in Jharkhand in protest against the central government adding new provisions in the ‘Hit and Run’ law. Wheels of about 5000 buses stopped across the state, including buses going from Khadgarha, Dhurva, Ratu and ITI of Ranchi to various districts and other states of the state. At the same time, the drivers also parked the trucks at various places. Auto drivers also stopped traffic in many districts in support. Under the banner of ‘Jharkhand State Transport Mazdoor Union’, bus, truck and tempo drivers took out a protest march in Jhumri Tilaiya of Koderma. On Tuesday, near Sikni Colliery on NH-75 in Latehar, drivers protested and blocked the road for about two hours. In Ramgarh, drivers blocked the road in front of the new bus stand, Tire Mod, Nayi Sarai and Jhanda Chowk. In Hazaribagh on Tuesday afternoon, bus and truck drivers also joined the auto and toto drivers in the strike. NH-343 and NH-75 passing through Garhwa city were also blocked by drivers throughout the day. There was road jam from 10:00 am to 11:00 am near Barasati on NH-18 and NH-49 in Baharagora, Jamshedpur.
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Wheels of about 5000 buses going from Khadgarha, Dhurva, Ratu and ITI of the capital to various districts of the state and other states stopped.
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If the strike continues till Wednesday, the supply of food items in petrol pumps, LPG and market committees may be further affected.
There was traffic jam on Dhalbhugarh NH-18 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Near Kuju Bridge (NH-220) on Tata-Chaibasa road from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, on Tata-Chaibasa bypass turn from 4:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Tata-Ranchi main road. There was a traffic jam on NH-33 near Fadlogoda Chowk for six hours. On the other hand, operation of trucks, buses and auto-totos was also affected in six districts of Santal Pargana – Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, Jamtara and Sahibganj. The operation of vehicles involved in transporting mining was also affected. Operation of commercial and goods vehicles remained closed in Bokaro also. At the same time, in Dhanbad too, drivers parked their vehicles at various places.
Arrival of essential goods stopped, there could be a crisis
The effect of non-operation of goods vehicles was also visible on petrol pumps, cooking gas and food items coming to the market committee on Tuesday. If the drivers remain on strike till Wednesday, the petrol pumps, LPG and market committees in Jharkhand will be further affected. Due to non-operation of passenger vehicles, there was a lot of trouble for the passengers for whom road was the only option.
A group of auto drivers will be on strike in Ranchi today
The meeting of the District Auto Drivers Union was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of union president Arjun Yadav. In this meeting held at the auto stand located on Ratu Road New Market, the new provisions being made in the ‘Hit and Run’ law were criticized. It was unanimously decided in the meeting that all auto drivers will stop operating on January 3. The effigy of the Central Government will be burnt near Zakir Hussain Park at 4:00 pm. If the government does not withdraw this black law, the drivers’ agitation will continue in future also. Here, Jharkhand State Auto Drivers Federation President Dinesh Soni said that if any driver wants to stop voluntarily, then we have no problem. But, if any auto of the federation is stopped, an FIR will be lodged against the concerned union or association.