Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Odisha Bandh Disrupts Transport, Mining and Daily Life
The Congress-led INDIA bloc called a one-day shutdown across Odisha.
It lasted from 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening on Thursday.
The organizers wanted changes to a mining law, resignations over alleged election-roll and textbook problems, and help for families affected by floods.
Protesters blocked roads, and many buses and autorickshaws did not run.
Some shops, markets and schools also closed.
In one mining area, blockades stopped minerals from being moved, and goods train services were reportedly affected.
Hospitals, ambulances, fire services, medicine shops and milk supply were exempt.
Congress said many people supported the shutdown, while BJP leaders alleged some people were forced to join.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc held a 12-hour bandh across Odisha on Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Organizers demanded withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, two resignations over alleged electoral-roll and textbook issues, and relief for flood-affected families.
Roadblocks and picketing disrupted buses, autorickshaws and other traffic; shops, markets and some schools and businesses closed.
In Sundargarh’s Koida area, protests halted mineral transport; railway sidings were closed and goods trains were reportedly stopped.
Congress leaders said the bandh had public support, while BJP leaders alleged workers pressured people to participate.
- Who
- The Congress-led INDIA bloc, including Congress and other named political parties, organized the bandh; Congress and BJP leaders differed over the extent of public support.
- What
- A 12-hour statewide bandh disrupted transport, businesses and mining-related activity.
- When
- Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; no calendar date is specified.
- Where
- Odisha, with reported impacts in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Bhadrak, Sundargarh and Malkangiri.
- Why
- Organizers cited demands concerning the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision, alleged textbook errors and 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 wholehearted public support and reflected support for protecting democratic values.
BJP leaders
BJP leaders alleged Congress workers were forcing people to participate.
- Duration
- 12 hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Organizers
- Congress-led INDIA bloc parties
- Stated demands
- Withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026; resignations of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and minister Nityananda Gond; and flood relief
- Transport impact
- Bus and autorickshaw services were disrupted, leaving passengers stranded in some places.
- Mining impact
- In Koida, blockades halted mineral transport; railway sidings were closed and goods trains were reportedly stopped.
- Security in Bhubaneswar
- Around 18 platoons and 100 officers were kept ready.
- Exempt services
- Hospitals, ambulances, fire and rescue services, medicine shops, milk supply, examinations and media operations
