Bhubaneswar: Patia resident Aakash Hota, 32 had to pay triple the usual fare to rent a "motorcycle cab" to reach home from the airport here on Wednesday.

The BJP and the Congress had called a shutdown to protest the suicide of Kunduli gang-rape victim. Hota had trouble reaching home as the strike hit transport services here.

The situation was no different for those stranded for hours at the Bhubaneswar railway station and Baramunda bus stand.

"I had come to my relative's house, but now I am stuck here," said Dinesh, a passenger at Baramunda.

Though people agreed with the reason for the anger of political parties, they were upset with the mode of protest.

"It is not the way political parties should react. I had an important appointment in Angul, but couldn't reach the railway station for the absence of public transport facilities," said Pokhariput resident Jitendra Sahu.

City buses, auto-rickshaws and private cabs did not ply because of the strike.

"I earn my livelihood driving my cab. I got a number of calls, but had refuse those fearing damage to my vehicle," said Bulu Mohanty, a cab driver.

The impact of the shutdown was felt in the social media with pro and anti-shutdown supporters venting their opinions. Bhubaneswar resident Amar Jyoti tweeted: "A family member was scheduled to go to Pune tmrw, now scared of goons for #OdishaBandh. Rescheduling two flights will cost 21K; what a democracy we live in!! Pray @BJP4India & @odisha_inc to allow vehicles to airport. Will @bbsrctcpolice advise please #Disgust #Helpless"

Another resident Sunil Kumar Sahoo tweeted: "On my way a #OdishaBandh supporter asked if i can halt my work for a sister #Kundali. Without a thought i turned around. Gave it a serious thought. Yes i support #OdishaBandh today."