Bhubaneswar: The two-day all-India strike called by the trade unions to highlight the hardships faced by the working class due to steep rise in prices of essential commodities and heavy taxation on the common people has impacted life in the Capital city in many ways. While the shops and business establishments downed their shutters, educational institutions remained closed for the day.
In the absence of public transport, commuters were left stranded at many places, including the railway station and airport. Among those severely hit were those who arrived in the city Tuesday.
One of them, Sanjay Patnaik, said: “I had gone to Visakhapatnam for some work but when I reached Bhubaneswar today (Tuesday), the bandh created problems for me. I have to go to Bhadrak, but I am stuck here. The two-day strike is not good for the common people,” he said.
However, Sanjiv Mohapatra from Bargarh supported the bandh despite facing lots of difficulties while commuting from Bargarh to Bhubaneswar. “I have some work in Bhubaneswar. I took a lift in a truck till Angul, and then travelled by an ambulance before taking another vehicle owner’s help to reach the Capital city.”
Venkatesh, who reached Bhubaneswar from Kerala Tuesday, said, “I was not aware of the bandh. I am now facing problems in reaching my destination in the city. The workers are organising this bandh in support of their demands and I support it. But there should be adequate arrangements for people like us who get stuck due to the bandh.”
Shakini Ghosh from Kharagpur had come to the AIIMS here for treatment, but got stuck at Master Canteen. “Our train was two hours late, and now we are not getting any transport to reach AIIMS. Though we are facing problems, I support this bandh as it is for the welfare of the people.”
Meanwhile, Abhiram Prusty seemed to be happy that the TUs have called the bandh. “I am also a worker. If the demands of the trade unions are met, we will be benefited. Though my earnings will be affected for two days, I don’t mind much.
Notably, Biju Janata Dala and Congress have extended their support to the bandh in Odisha.
Public sector employees, workers in the unorganised sector, port and dock workers as well as the bank and insurance employees also participated in a protest march in the city against economic crisis, price rise and acute unemployment.