Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, May 31: Train services were hit as supporters of the nationwide bandh called by various political parties to protest the recent petrol price hike squatted on tracks at various stations across Odisha. At least 17 express trains were detained at various stations, while two express trains (Sambalpur-Rayagada Intercity Express and Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express) and eight passenger trains were cancelled, said East Coast Railway sources.
In Cuttack, BJD activists staged a rail roko at the railway station and detained Jan Shatabdi Express while BJP activists detained Hatia Express and two passenger trains for over 30 minutes. The day witnessed cancellation of number of trains at various places even as passengers muttered curses under their breaths.
The bandh, however, was conducted peacefully across the state. “No major incident was reported,” director-general of police M.M. Praharaj told The Telegraph.
The shutdown evoked spontaneous response as major markets, business establishments, schools, colleges, educational institutions and offices remained closed in the capital. Functioning of bank, insurance, post offices, central and state government offices was paralysed as bandh supporters picketed.
All roads, including the National Highway No. 5 and No. 203 looked forsaken but for the numerous trucks stranded at various points on the highway. Cuttack, the business capital of the coastal districts, was also severely affected with business establishments downing their shutters.
However, production in Rourkela Steel Plant and Nalco refinery and smelter plants and other industries was not affected. Cargo handling went on as usual in Paradip port. Loading and unloading work went on inside the port continued unhampered as six ships were berthed today. “Attendance of port workers and officials was satisfactory today,” said Paradip Port Trust chairman S. Ananth Kumar Bose.
Thousands of cargo-laden trucks were left stuck on the Paradip-Daitary expressway, Paradip-Cuttack state highway and Cuttack-Chandballi state highway.
