Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Bhubaneswar App Cab Strike Turns Violent Amid Arrests
App-based taxi and bike drivers in Bhubaneswar stopped working to ask for better pay and benefits.
Their seven demands included higher fares, lower app fees and social security.
Hundreds of vehicles joined a rally and blocked an important road.
Police said the protest was allowed for one day but continued for two more days.
Police also alleged that some protesters threw stones and damaged buses and police vehicles.
At least 13 police personnel were reported injured in one account.
Reports differed on the number of protesters detained or arrested, ranging from more than 30 to about 80.
The police said legal action would follow and that some vehicles could lose their registration if they lacked valid documents.
Traffic eventually returned to normal, but many commuters had difficulty travelling.
App-based cab drivers and bike riders began a cease-work protest on August 17 over a seven-point charter including fare hikes, lower platform fees and social security.
Hundreds of taxis and bikes rallied from Raj Mahal Square and blocked Mahatma Gandhi Marg near Master Canteen and the railway station.
Police alleged that protesters threw stones, damaged police vehicles and vandalised several government-run Ama buses at PMG Square.
Reports differ on the enforcement toll: police cited at least 13 injured personnel and about 80 arrests, while other accounts reported more than 30 detentions.
Traffic later returned to normal, but commuters were severely affected by the shortage of cabs, bikes and auto-rickshaws.
- Who
- App-based cab drivers and bike riders, police personnel, commuters, and government-run bus operators were involved or affected.
- What
- A cease-work protest over seven demands became violent, according to police, with alleged stone-throwing and damage to police vehicles and Ama buses.
- When
- The protest began on August 17; the reported violence occurred on Wednesday, August 19.
- Where
- The incidents occurred in Bhubaneswar, including Raj Mahal Square, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Master Canteen, the railway station area and PMG Square.
- Why
- Drivers and riders sought fare increases, lower application or platform fees, social security and other benefits; police said the continued road blockade disrupted the public.
Drivers’ and Riders’ Demands
Police and Administrative Position
Reason for the protest
Drivers’ and Riders’ Demands
Drivers and riders sought higher fares, lower application or platform fees, social security and other benefits through a seven-point charter.
Police and Administrative Position
DCP Jagmohan Meena called the demands “illogical” and said the protest concerned private companies in which the government had no role.
Continuation of the demonstration
Drivers’ and Riders’ Demands
The drivers and riders continued their cease-work action and rallied with hundreds of taxis and bikes on Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
Police and Administrative Position
Police said the demonstration was authorised for one day on August 17 but continued for two additional days, blocking a major road and inconveniencing the public.
Violence and enforcement
Drivers’ and Riders’ Demands
The reports contain no direct response from protest leaders to allegations of stone-throwing, vandalism or the reported arrests.
Police and Administrative Position
Police alleged that protesters threw stones and damaged buses and police vehicles, leading to injuries, arrests or detentions, vehicle seizures and threatened legal action.
- Protest start
- August 17
- Demands
- A seven-point charter including fare hikes, reduced application fees, social security and other benefits
- Main rally
- Hundreds of taxis and bikes travelled from Raj Mahal Square and blocked Mahatma Gandhi Marg
- Reported damage
- Police said several Ama buses and three police vehicles were damaged
- Police injuries
- One report cited at least 13 injured police personnel
- Arrests and detentions
- Reports differed, with one account citing about 80 arrests and others reporting more than 30 detentions
- Traffic status
- Police said vehicular movement resumed after the protest
- Vehicle action
- Police said vehicles were seized; officials began examining whether vehicles without valid documents should lose registration
