The All India Petroleum Dealers Association has announced that all petrol pumps across Odisha will remain closed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in response to a statewide bandh called by the Congress and supported by several Leftist parties.
The bandh, triggered by the tragic death of a female student at Fakir Mohan College, has sparked significant political unrest, prompting safety concerns for businesses.
According to Sanjay Lath, General Secretary of the All India Petroleum Dealers Association, the decision to close over 3,000 petrol pumps and three depots across the state is a precautionary measure to ensure safety during the bandh. “The pumps will resume operations after 6 PM,” Lath confirmed.
The closure is expected to cause business losses exceeding ₹100 crore, as stated by Sashank Sekhar Sahu, State President of the Petroleum Dealers Association.
The bandh, supported by parties including CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), All India Forward Bloc, NCP, SP, and RJD, will also see schools, colleges, and shops shut down across Odisha. The decision was announced during a joint press conference at Congress Bhawan, where leaders of the allied parties expressed solidarity in demanding justice for the student’s death.
The closure of petrol pumps and other establishments is likely to disrupt daily life across the state, with residents urged to plan accordingly. The bandh reflects growing political tensions in Odisha, as opposition parties unite to protest against the state government.
