Protest Erupts Over Non-Availability of LPG Cylinders
A major protest broke out in Sundargarh as residents blocked the road near an Indane gas godown on the town bypass, alleging non-availability of cooking gas for the past four days.

Angry consumers placed LPG cylinders on the road and staged a blockade, demanding immediate supply.

Highway Blocked, Traffic Disrupted
The agitation led to the blockade of State Highway No. 10, resulting in hundreds of vehicles getting stranded on both sides. Protesters warned that they would not lift the blockade until gas supply resumes.

Police reached the spot and attempted to clear one side of the road, but protesters again placed cylinders and continued their demonstration.

Residents Forced to Queue from Early Morning
Locals claimed they had been arriving at the gas depot as early as 4 AM or 5 AM every day, only to return empty-handed. The ongoing shortage has severely affected daily life, with many households reportedly unable to cook due to lack of LPG.

Government Dismisses Rumours on New LPG Rules
Amid the unrest, the government has dismissed social media claims about new LPG booking rules as false. Officials clarified that no new restrictions have been imposed for consumers, including beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

The existing rules remain unchanged:

• 25 days gap for booking in urban areas
• 45 days gap for rural and remote areas

Booking requests made before the stipulated time are automatically rejected by the system.

Global Factors Behind Supply Concerns
Authorities acknowledged that global tensions, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict and instability in the Strait of Hormuz, have caused some disruptions in oil and gas supply chains.

However, the government assured that there is no shortage of LPG in the country and sufficient stock is available for domestic consumption.

Government Assures Normal Supply Soon
Officials stated that the situation is being closely monitored and necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply. Citizens have been urged not to panic or believe in misinformation circulating on social media.

The post Road Blockade in Sundargarh Over LPG Shortage; Residents Protest Near Gas Depot appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Streets across Odisha wore a deserted look today as a 12-hour nationwide strike, called by 10 major trade unions and several independent federations, brought daily life to a near standstill. From urban centres to highways, the impact of the bandh was widespread and visible.

In Bhubaneswar, key roads including Khandagiri, Acharya Vihar, and Jaydev Vihar remained unusually empty, with very few private vehicles seen plying. Protesters blocked several national highways, halting the movement of trucks and disrupting inter-state transportation.

Wedding Procession Briefly Stopped Amid Protests

In a striking incident that highlighted the far-reaching impact of the strike, protesters in Bhubaneswar briefly stopped a groom who was on his way to his wedding ceremony. Though the situation was later resolved without escalation, the incident underscored the intensity of the agitation and its effect on ordinary citizens.

Rail Blockades, Rallies, and Widespread Shutdown

The bandh received support from the Congress party and BJD’s Biju Shramik Sammukhya, strengthening the momentum of the protest across the state. Demonstrators staged rail blockades, picketing, and rallies at multiple locations.

Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, remained closed. Banking services were disrupted, petrol pumps shut operations, and public transport services were largely suspended, causing inconvenience to commuters and daily wage earners.

Unions Present Charter of Demands

Major trade unions including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, TUCC, SEWA, LPF, Samyukta Kisan Morcha, and various bank employee associations jointly spearheaded the protest.

The protesters raised a comprehensive list of demands, including:

• Withdrawal of recent labour law amendments

• Scrapping of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025

• Replacement of the VIBGYOR Ramji Act with MGNREGA

• Withdrawal of the Seed Bill 2025

• Implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations ensuring MSP

• Equal pay for equal work

• Legal protection for unorganised workers

• Forest rights for tribals and traditional dwellers

• Measures to curb inflation and unemployment

• Social justice for Dalits, tribals, and minorities

Union leaders stated that the strike was a united response to what they described as anti-worker and anti-farmer policies.

Heavy Police Deployment, Protest Remains Largely Peaceful

Anticipating disruptions, authorities deployed additional police forces across sensitive areas to maintain law and order. While sporadic blockades and traffic disruptions were reported, the protest remained largely peaceful throughout the day.

Officials monitored key intersections, railway stations, and government offices to prevent any untoward incidents.

Growing Public Discontent Reflected in Strong Turnout

Though the bandh caused inconvenience to the general public, the strong participation by workers and farmers reflected growing dissatisfaction over economic and labour-related policies. Union representatives claimed the strike was a “success,” citing widespread shutdowns and public participation.

As normalcy gradually returned in the evening, the strike sent a clear message about rising unrest among sections of workers, farmers, and labour organisations across Odisha and the country.

The post Nationwide Strike Paralyzes Odisha: Empty Roads, Blocked Highways, and a Groom’s Wedding Woe appeared first on Odisha Connect.