Bhubaneswar: More than 35 people were detained, and several vehicles were seized on Wednesday as a protest by cab, auto-rickshaw and bike drivers entered its third day.
The protesters, associated with ride-hailing platforms, gathered along Mahatma Gandhi Marg and blocked the road near Master Canteen Square while pressing for their seven-point charter of demands. Hundreds of vehicles were reportedly parked along the road.
The disruption affected traffic in several parts of Bhubaneswar. Police introduced diversions near Vani Vihar, Rajmahal Square and Ram Mandir Square to manage the situation.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena said police had cleared both sides of Master Canteen Square and that traffic was under control. He said all protesters had dispersed, although police remained alert.
According to the DCP, some detained protesters were arrested and forwarded to court. Vehicles found parked along Mahatma Gandhi Marg were also seized. Police said the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act was applied wherever applicable.
Meena said the protesters had permission to demonstrate at Lower PMG for one day, which ended on August 17. However, they returned on Wednesday and blocked the road near Master Canteen Square.
The agitation affected app-based transport services and caused inconvenience to commuters. Police maintained additional deployment at key junctions to prevent further road blockades.
By Wednesday afternoon, traffic had returned to normal in most parts of the city.