Keonjhar: Truck Owners' Association in Odisha's Keonjhar is today observing a 24-hour bandh in the district against the railway project linking Gandhamardan B Mines managed by the OMC.

The agitators have demanded cancellation of the project.

They claimed that the proposed project, spanning from Suakathi to Guhaldihi, would lead to unemployment among truckers as the transportation of iron ores would shift entirely to trains.

The bandh received backing from the Keonjhar Merchants' Association and 15 other local organizations.

Normal life in the district was affected due to the bandh. Supporters of the bandh disrupted train movement by sitting on railway tracks.

Business establishments and educational institutions in Keonjhar district remained closed due to the bandh while movement of vehicles on road was also affected.

Emergency services have been excluded from the ambit of the bandh.