Bhubaneswar: Normal life is likely to be affected across Odisha on Thursday with various central trade unions set to observe a nationwide Bharat Bandh against replacement of MGNREGA, new labour codes, certain budgetary allocations, and the Indo-US trade agreement.
The trade unions have given a bandh call in support of their demands for the withdrawal of the four newly introduced labour codes. The strike has also received backing from several farmer organisations and political parties, including Congress.
According to trade union leaders, important sectors such as banking, public transport, government offices and public sector undertakings are likely to witness disruptions during the bandh.
Business establishments in major urban centres, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and district headquarters towns, are also expected to be impacted.
Vehicular movement is expected to be disrupted and commuters may face inconvenience as protestors are likely to stage demonstrations and road blockades at various locations, including major highways.
In Odisha, the strike has been supported by Congress as well as left parties, including the CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation and the Forward Bloc. Trade unions have expressed opposition to the four labour codes introduced last November, which replaced 29 existing labour laws.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das had in a statement issued earlier justifed the party’s support, highlighting ongoing nationwide Congress protests against “Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025” (VB–G RAM G), which was introduced by the NDA government by repealing MGNREGA.
According to union representatives, the new codes weaken workers’ rights and reduce job security protections. They allege that the reforms dilute safeguards that had been established over decades of labour movements.
Educational institutions, banks, post offices, markets, industrial units and factories may remain closed in several areas during the bandh. Fuel supply could also be disrupted in certain locations.
However, essential and emergency services, including hospitals, ambulance services, pharmacies, water supply, electricity and fire services, are expected to function normally.
Airports and flight operations are likely to remain unaffected. Train services are expected to run as scheduled, though delays cannot be ruled out if rail blockades occur.
