Normal life across the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Kataka came to a grinding halt on Thursday as a 12-hour statewide bandh called by the India Bloc took effect from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Protestors took to the streets with picketing, tire-burning, and massive vehicle blockades, severely disrupting transportation, commerce, and daily commuting.
Impact on the Capital City (Bhubaneswar)
In Bhubaneswar, bustling junctions like Master Canteen, Jaydev Vihar, Palasuni, and AG Square turned into epicentres of agitation. PCC President Bhakta Charan Das personally led protestors at AG Square, stopping passenger buses and urging local markets to shut down. While claiming the protest remained peaceful and urging citizens for voluntary cooperation, the blockade left hundreds of commuters and passengers stranded for hours.
Baramunda Bus Stand wore a deserted look with zero long-distance bus operations, and auto-rickshaw services were largely unavailable. Commuters, particularly patients arriving from other districts for medical treatments, faced severe hardships as transport ground to a halt. In several instances, local police stepped in to assist stranded patients, arranging vehicles to safely transport them to hospitals.
To maintain law and order, the administration deployed 18 platoons of police forces alongside nearly 100 officers across strategic points, monitoring national highways, railway stations, and key intersections.
Shutdown Grips Kataka
The commercial hub of Kataka experienced an equally severe lockdown. The usually vibrant Badambadi bus terminus remained mostly deserted, with private buses staying off the road except for a few OSRTC and “Aama Bus” services. Railway services at Kataka Railway Station were suspended from morning till afternoon. Major commercial establishments, alongside the industrial hubs of Jagatpur and Madhupatna, completely shut down operations. While schools remained closed, colleges stayed open due to ongoing student union elections.
While the ruling BJD did not participate in the bandh, the statewide disruption heavily impacted public movement until the shutdown concluded at 6 PM.
Odisha Bandh Effects in Twin Cities In Pics:
The opposition-led shutdown was called to press forward four major demands:
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Withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.
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Resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
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Resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister over errors in school textbooks.
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Adequate rehabilitation and compensation for flood-affected citizens.
Car Runs Over Protester at Master Canteen Square
An unpleasant incident occurred at the Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar. When a driver attempted to steer his car toward Ashok Nagar, protesters blocked the vehicle.
During the confrontation, the car ran over the foot of a protester named Pradeep Nayak. As a result, Pradeep sustained minor injuries and sat on the road. This sparked a brief period of tension at the scene. However, the demonstrators released the car driver after he apologised.
Protesters and Public Lock Horns in Bhubaneswar
An instance of a verbal spat between protesters and the public has come to light in the capital city, Bhubaneswar.
During the agitation, a heated argument broke out between a woman and a youth travelling on a scooter and the protesters who had blocked the road. As the agitators intercepted the scooter, a verbal duel ensued between both parties. During the incident, some people were seen shouting and leaving the spot. Citizens were heard telling the protesters, “Don’t give us a headache, clear the way.”
Public Grievance: “The Whole Day is Wasted”
A common citizen at the Baramunda Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) has expressed deep frustration. Complaining about the bandh call, he said that the entire day has been wasted. “Neither can we go anywhere, nor can we open shops for business. Stepping outside means having to listen to all sorts of things from the protestors. Everyone calls for bandhs for their own or their party’s vested interests. No one cares about the time of the 4.5 crore Odias. If demands truly need to be fulfilled, they should go and sit at Jantar Mantar,” he remarked.
Through this statement, he accused the protestors of wasting common people’s time and calling bandhs merely to fulfil their political interests. Other passengers present at the bus stand also expressed their support for this grievance.
Protesters Create Chaos, Block School Kids and Patients
Congress workers blockaded roads, leading to heated arguments with commuters, elderly citizens, and motorists. Despite appeals, protesters refused to clear the way for school children, parents, and patients heading to hospitals. While some agitators tried peaceful appeals with chocolates, the widespread disruption of daily life and harassment of emergency travellers triggered severe public outrage across the capital.
Petrol Pump Becomes Makeshift Cricket Ground
An unprecedented scene was witnessed during the 12-hour Odisha bandh called by the India Alliance. Due to the shutdown, unlike other petrol pumps, the Unit-2 Bharat Petroleum pump premises transformed into a cricket field. While petrol pump employees were seen splitting into teams to play a match, some local youths also joined in to play cricket there. This scene clearly reflects the impact of the bandh, with vehicular movement disrupted across various parts of the state.
