Sundargarh, Oct 8 (UDN): The statewide Odisha bandh called by opposition parties affected normal life in the mining belt of Koida in Sundargarh district on Thursday, with mining activities, mineral transportation, public transport and commercial establishments disrupted.
More than 100 protesters reportedly gathered at the Koida block intersection, staging demonstrations and raising slogans in support of the shutdown. Road blockades and picketing at several locations brought mineral transportation from a number of mines to a halt.
Mining and Rail Operations Disrupted
The bandh had a significant impact on mining activity across the region. Workers staged pickets at mining sites, while several mines and quarries reportedly remained closed.
Railway sidings in the mining belt were also affected, with goods trains reportedly remaining stationary on tracks following the disruption.
The shutdown extended across several mining and industrial locations, including Tensa, Barasuan, Bhutuda, Bhuinpada, Bonai, Bimlagarh, Roxy, Kalta and Koida, according to protesters.
Bus Services Affected, Markets Remain Closed
Public transport was also hit by the bandh. Private buses remained off the roads, with the morning bus service connecting Koida and Rourkela reportedly cancelled, leaving passengers stranded.
Shops, markets and other commercial establishments across the region remained closed as protesters enforced the shutdown.
The bandh began at 6 am and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm on Thursday.
Essential Services Exempted
Protesters said medical services, medicine shops and ambulances had been kept outside the scope of the shutdown.
The exemption was intended to ensure that emergency and other essential services continued despite the disruption caused by the bandh.
MMDR Act, Electoral Rolls Among Key Issues
The protesters cited opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 as one of the major reasons for the bandh.
They claimed the amended mining law could adversely affect Odisha’s financial interests and alleged that the state could face an annual revenue loss of around Rs 15,000 crore.
The protesters also raised concerns over alleged deletion of names from electoral rolls and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The shutdown in Sundargarh’s mining belt brought large parts of the region’s mineral supply chain and commercial activity to a standstill, while authorities continued to monitor the situation to maintain law and order and ensure the availability of essential services.
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