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New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress's Odisha Bandh today; government tightens security
BHUBANESWAR: Normal life is likely to be hit hard due to the Odisha Bandh call given by Congress and Left parties over the FM College incident on Thursday. With the Opposition activists preparing to enforce a complete shutdown across the state barring some emergency services like hospitals and medical services, markets and business establishments are likely to be affected. Vehicular movement and public transport is also likely to be disrupted due to the road blockades, dharnas, and demonstrations planned by the Congress and other parties. President of All Odisha Private Bus Association Loknath Pani said buses will stop if obstructed by the agitators. General secretary of All-India Petroleum Dealers' Association, Sanjay Lath, informed that over 3,000 fuel stations and three major depots in Odisha will remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on July 17. 'The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff, property and customers during the protest,' he said. Though the state government has not made any announcement regarding the closure of offices as well as schools, colleges and educational institutions, they will also be affected.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bharat Bandh, Odisha drivers' strike cripple transport, fuel supply across state
BHUBANESWAR: The nationwide 'Bharat Bandh' called by the trade unions affiliated with the Left parties and the Odisha Driver Mahasangha's ongoing 'quit steering wheel' protest, participated in by thousands of commercial vehicle drivers, crippled normal life in the state on Wednesday. The 10 central trade unions and their affiliates are observing Bharat Bandh alleging that the central government is implementing economic reforms that undermine workers' rights. While both the strikes have crippled transport services, especially private bus operations, the supply of essential commodities is expected to take a severe hit in the next 24 hours. "Trucks transporting vegetables and fruits from various states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka and others arrived on Tuesday night as there was no effect on them due to the protest called by Odisha Driver Mahasangha. However, whether the trucks will be able to reach Odisha on Wednesday night because of the Bharat Bandh remains to be seen," said Chhatra Bazaar Byabasai Sangha secretary Debendra Nath Sahoo. The strike called by Odisha Driver Mahasangha has affected the local supply of vegetables from places like Angul, Bargarh, Jajpur, Puri and others. If the trucks from other states do not arrive at night, the supply of vegetables and fruits will be severely impacted, he added. Both the Bharat Bandh and the Odisha Driver Mahasangha's protest have also severely affected the supply of petrol and diesel across the state. "Some drivers have joined the protest and some reported to duty. However, after the fuel was loaded from the four depots in Jatni, Paradip, Balasore and Jharsuguda, the protestors did not allow the oil tankers to proceed towards their delivery destinations on the day," said general secretary of Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association, Sanjay Lath. On an average, about 3,600 kilolitres of petrol and 8,500 kilolitres of diesel are loaded from the four depots every day and delivered to various petrol pumps in the state.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Drivers' strike paralyses public transport services, affects essential supplies in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Transport services, particularly public transport and supply of fuel and LPG, were severely affected as thousands of commercial vehicle drivers launched an indefinite strike to press for fulfilment of their various demands. Under the banner of Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha, drivers of buses, trucks, commercial vans and taxis resorted to the 'quit steering wheel' protest, demanding various welfare and social security measures from the government. Public transport was the worst hit as private buses stayed off road and commuters across the state had to suffer immense problems. Devotees and visitors, who went to Puri to attend the Niladri Bije, the last ritual of Rath Yatra festival, had a harrowing time as they could not board buses or other public transport to return home. This resulted in a heavy rush at the railway station in Puri. Sources said on an average, at least 200 buses operate from Puri to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack daily. The number of buses operating from Puri to the Twin City goes up to 300 during festive seasons. With the number reducing to a trickle as only government buses operated, the people faced severe inconveniences. Meanwhile, supply of petrol, diesel and LPG to different parts of the state is set to be badly affected from Wednesday if the strike continues. 'Oil tanker drivers joined the protests on Tuesday. But, they have been asked to report to duty on Wednesday so that petrol and diesel can be loaded from four depots in Jatni, Paradip, Balasore and Jharsuguda, and delivered at the fuel stations across the state. If they continue, there will be an oil crisis at hand,' said general secretary of Utkal Petroleum Dealers' Association, Sanjay Lath. Though the supply of essential commodities like vegetables was not affected on the day, traders' bodies are apprehensive that the strike could lead to shortage if the cease work carries on. 'Vegetables were delivered in Bhubaneswar markets as usual on Tuesday. However, we are anticipating the strike will possibly affect the supply a day later,' said Rajdhani Pariba (vegetables) Byabasayee Mahasangha president, Kabi Swain. 'Many essential commodities are imported from other states, and the supply remained unaffected on the day. However, serious difficulties can emerge while transporting goods from wholesalers to retailers if the strike is not called off,' said the general secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha, Sudhakar Panda.
