An Odisha bandh called by INDIA bloc parties disrupted buses, trains, taxis, businesses and daily travel across the state on Thursday, leaving commuters stranded in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other cities. Protesters blocked roads, stopped public and private vehicles, and briefly halted two trains while pressing demands including the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Odisha education minister Nityanand Gond, repeal of the MMDR Act and other political issues.
Buses remained off the roads in several urban areas, while many shops and commercial establishments stayed shut amid concerns about confrontations with protesters. Agitating workers picketed busy junctions in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other parts of Odisha, stopping autorickshaws, government buses, cabs, two-wheelers and private cars.
The disruption affected people travelling to offices, schools, medical appointments and transport terminals. At Patia Square in Bhubaneswar, IT professional Sujit Nayak told the Times of India that protesters stopped him while he was travelling to his office in Infocity. After an altercation, he returned from the junction and used an inner road to reach his workplace.
Commuters were also stranded at Baramunda bus stand, one of Bhubaneswar’s principal intercity transport points. Nityananda Kund, who was travelling towards Kendrapada, told the newspaper that he remained at the terminal until 5 pm after buses stopped operating. He said he had a medical emergency at home.
Access to Biju Patnaik International Airport was also affected because passengers could not find cabs. Anuj C, a visitor from Mumbai who planned to travel to Puri Jagannath Dham, said he was stuck at the airport after failing to secure transport.
The All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association said buses from Baramunda bus terminal did not operate to avoid confrontations with bandh picketers along their routes. Its general secretary, Debendra Kumar Sahoo, said services continued in some districts of western Odisha and interior areas, but cities were affected by the shutdown.
Rail movement was briefly interrupted when Congress and Left party members stopped the Sambalpur-Puri Intercity and Durg-Puri Intercity trains. Goods transportation was also affected. In Kandhamal district, a milk van was caught among vehicles delayed by the protest. In Bhadrak, protesters were involved in a scuffle with a policeman, while Congress workers stopped a judge in Bargarh, according to the report.
The INDIA bloc said in a press statement that the bandh received an unprecedented response across Odisha. Its constituent parties assembled at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar and marched towards the state assembly, raising slogans against government policies and in support of their demands. Police detained a large number of party members and workers during the procession, the statement said.
The bloc said its campaign would continue, describing the protest as a struggle to protect democracy, the Constitution, the electoral process and the constitutional rights of states. The report did not specify the duration of the transport restrictions or any further operational measures by the state authorities.
