Drivers block Satna-Rewa road in 'Steering Chhodo' protest, demand driver safety law

The All India Vahan Chalak Kalyan Ekta Sangathan held a "Steering Chhodo" (leave the steering) protest on the Satna-Rewa road on Thursday. The demonstration was over demands related to the safety and welfare of drivers. Vehicles were stopped near Kargil Dhaba, causing a traffic jam on the road.

Long queues of vehicles built up on both sides. Buses, trucks and other vehicles, big and small, remained stuck for a long time.

On receiving information about the jam, SDM City Rahul Siladia and Kolgawan police station personnel reached the spot. Officials spoke to the protesters and persuaded them. The members of the organisation then cleared the road and traffic on the highway returned to normal.

After the protest, office-bearers of the organisation submitted a memorandum addressed to the Collector, listing three demands, to SDM City Rahul Siladia. The memorandum demands the creation of a drivers' commission, a drivers' welfare board and a drivers' safety law.

The drivers said memorandums on issues related to their safety and interests had been submitted several times before, but no concrete action had been taken so far.

Office-bearers of the organisation said the agitation began at the Singhu border in Delhi and drivers in districts across the country are joining it. According to them, an attempt was made to convey their demands to the government through a symbolic chakka jam on November 12. They said that whatever decision the Union government takes on the agitation would be acceptable to drivers across the country.

SDM City Rahul Siladia said the memorandum had been taken from the protesters and the road had been cleared. Traffic on the Satna-Rewa road is currently normal.