Berhampur, Dec 12: Tension flared once again at the Brahmapur Railway Station on Friday as the Auto‑Rickshaw Drivers’ Association and Ama Bus operators found themselves locked in a fresh confrontation.

The auto drivers staged a sit‑in protest, blocking Ama Bus vehicles and disrupting services for several hours.

According to the auto association, the sudden increase in the number of Ama Buses arriving at the station has severely impacted their livelihood. While only two to three buses used to operate from the station earlier, the number has now risen to 29.

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Auto drivers allege that this surge has drastically reduced their daily income, leaving many struggling to sustain their families.

The association stated that they had repeatedly approached the local administration with complaints. Following discussions, a decision was reportedly taken that Ama Buses would arrive at the station and leave immediately without waiting to pick up passengers.

However, the auto drivers claim that the buses are violating this understanding by halting for extended periods and taking passengers directly from the station premises.

This, they argue, has created an unfair competitive environment, pushing auto drivers to the brink. Their primary demand is that only a limited number of buses should be allowed to enter the station and that they should depart promptly after picking up passengers.

Friday’s protest led to significant disruption of Ama Bus operations, causing inconvenience to commuters. Passengers were seen stranded as buses remained blocked by the demonstrators. The auto association has warned that protests will intensify if their demands are not addressed promptly.