Bhubaneswar: A nationwide strike called by several central trade unions has severely affected normal life in Odisha, particularly in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The bandh, called to protest against the Central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies,” saw widespread disruption in public transport and traffic movement across major cities.

In Bhubaneswar, trade union members staged demonstrations at key locations, including the Bhubaneswar railway station and bus stand. Protesters blocked roads used by ‘Ama Bus’ and private buses, leading to inconvenience for commuters at bus terminals and major intersections like Master Canteen Square, Vani Vihar, and Janpath.

The protesters reportedly blocked the Jaydev Vihar overbridge and parts of the national highway, intensifying travel difficulties for the public.

Initially, traffic came to a halt in these areas, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded. However, with the intervention of police, normal traffic flow was restored in parts of the city, including Master Canteen. The ‘Ama Bus’ services have also resumed operations after a temporary disruption.

Trade union leader Rajkishore Lenka said, “This is a nationwide protest involving students, youth, farmers, workers, and employees from various sectors. Even banks and insurance offices have been shut. It’s a complete bandh from morning till evening.”

The impact was also visible in Cuttack, where bus operations from Netaji Subhash Bose Bus Terminal came to a standstill. Except for a few government and ‘Ama Bus’ services, most private buses stayed off the roads. Passengers were seen waiting for long hours with no transportation in sight.

Also read: Bharat Bandh brings key sectors to halt; over 25 crore workers protest against Centre’s policies