The Odisha bandh called by INDIA bloc parties disrupted public transport, business activity and essential travel across the state on Thursday, with buses staying off roads, trains halted briefly and commuters stranded in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other cities.
The bandh was called to press for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Odisha Education Minister Nityanand Gond, repeal of the MMDR Act and other demands. Protesters picketed busy junctions, stopped autorickshaws, government buses, cabs, two-wheelers and private cars, and prevented several people from reaching offices, schools and other destinations.
In Bhubaneswar, commuters faced difficulties at Patia Square, Baramunda bus stand and near Biju Patnaik International Airport. Sujit Nayak, an IT professional from Patia, said protesters stopped him while he was travelling to his office at Infocity. After being prevented from continuing, he returned from the junction and used an inner road to reach his destination.
People waiting at Baramunda bus stand were also affected after buses stopped operating on several routes. Nityananda Kund, who was travelling towards Kendrapada, said he remained stranded at the bus stand until 5 pm while dealing with a medical emergency at home. Anuj C, a visitor from Mumbai, said he could not find a cab from the airport for a planned visit to Puri Jagannath Dham.
The All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association said buses from Baramunda bus terminal did not operate to avoid confrontation with bandh picketers on the routes. Its general secretary, Debendra Kumar Sahoo, said services continued in some districts of western Odisha and interior areas, but urban centres were affected.
The disruption extended beyond road transport. Congress and Left party members briefly halted the Sambalpur-Puri Intercity and Durg-Puri Intercity trains. Goods transportation was also affected. In Kandhamal, a milk van was among vehicles held up during the bandh. In Bhadrak, protesters were involved in a scuffle with a policeman, while Congress workers stopped a judge in Bargarh.
The bandh also affected shops and commercial establishments, many of which remained closed amid concerns about confrontations with protesters. At Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, INDIA bloc members assembled and marched towards the state assembly, raising slogans against government policies. The bloc said in a press statement that police detained a large number of its members and workers during the procession.
The INDIA bloc said the protest was aimed at protecting democracy, the Constitution, the electoral process and the constitutional rights of states. Its leaders said the united campaign would continue in the coming days. The transport association said the extent of bus operations would depend on local conditions and the presence of bandh picketers.
