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Congress-Led Odisha Bandh Disrupts Transport and Mining Operations
The Congress-led INDIA bloc called a shutdown across Odisha on Thursday.
It lasted from 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening.
The organizers said they wanted the government to address four issues, including flood relief and changes to mining law.
Many buses and autorickshaws did not run, and some people were unable to travel.
Shops and markets closed in several places.
In parts of Sundargarh, protests disrupted the movement of minerals and goods trains.
Hospitals, ambulances, medicine shops and other listed essential services were exempt.
Congress said people supported the shutdown, but BJP leaders said some people were being pressured to join it.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc enforced a statewide bandh from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday.
The shutdown disrupted buses, autorickshaws, road traffic, shops, markets and mining operations in several areas.
Organizers cited four demands, including withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, and relief for flood-affected families.
In Sundargarh’s Koida area, blockades halted mineral transport, and railway sidings and goods train services were reportedly affected.
Congress said the bandh had widespread support, while BJP leaders alleged workers were forcing people to participate.
- Who
- The Congress-led INDIA bloc called the bandh; Congress and BJP leaders gave differing accounts of public participation.
- What
- A 12-hour statewide bandh disrupted transport, businesses and mining-related operations.
- Where
- Across Odisha, with reported impacts in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Bhadrak, Sundargarh and Malkangiri.
- When
- Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the article does not give a calendar date.
- Why
- Organizers cited four demands: withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026; the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities; the school and mass education minister’s resignation over alleged textbook errors; and immediate relief for flood-affected families.
Congress and INDIA bloc
BJP leaders
Public participation
Congress and INDIA bloc
PCC president Bhakta Charan Das said the bandh received widespread public support and reflected support for protecting democratic values.
BJP leaders
BJP leaders alleged that Congress workers were forcing people to participate.
Key facts
- Duration
- 12 hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Organizers
- Congress-led INDIA bloc
- Stated demands
- Four, including mining law withdrawal, two resignations and flood relief
- Bhubaneswar security
- Around 18 platoons and 100 officers were kept ready.
- Transport impact
- Bus and autorickshaw services were disrupted; passengers were reportedly stranded.
- Mining impact
- At Koida, blockades halted mineral transportation; railway sidings were closed and goods trains were reportedly stopped.
- Exempt services
- Hospitals, ambulances, fire and rescue services, medicine shops, milk supply, examinations and media operations
Quotes
Bhakta Charan Das
President of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee
“We are thankful to the people of Odisha for extending whole-hearted support to our bandh call. It implies that they are with us to protect the democratic values of the country”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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