Bharat Bandh over fuel price hike paralyses normal life in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Bharat bandh called by the Congress and other opposition parties protesting the rise in fuel price paralysed normal life across Odisha on Monday.

Congress workers were seen picketing at various places, bringing vehicular movement to a grinding halt.

The shutdown has elicited a widespread response with shutting down of schools, business establishments, public and private transport facilities crippling the day-to-day life of the people.

Bus passengers were severely hit as they could be seen stranded at major bus stands across the state including Badambadi and Baramandu bus stands in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack respectively.

The effect of the Bandh was largely felt in capital city Bhubaneswar as strategic places like Khandagiri, Vani Vihar, Kalpana square, Satsang Vihar Square and Rasulgarh were blocked by the Congress workers.

Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) Vice Chancellor cancelled exams scheduled for today in view of the bandh.

PCC president Niranjan Patnaik and other senior leaders of Congress staged picketing in front of state Assembly and Secretariat.

The impact of the shutdown was also felt in the state Assembly as the Congress members created a ruckus over the rising fuel price. The Speaker adjourned the house for the day.