Bhubaneswar:
A statewide bandh has been called in Odisha on Tuesday, January 28, 2026. The bandh has been announced by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan,The bandh will be observed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, making it a 12-hour shutdown across the state.
Reasons for the Odisha Bandh
The bandh has been called mainly over three major demands:
1. Farmers’ Issues
The protest is being held against alleged irregularities in paddy procurement. The farmers’ body has also demanded a bonus of ₹800 per quintal for farmers. However, the Food and Supplies Minister has announced that the government will not provide any bonous beyond the purchase limit of 150 quintals of paddy, which has triggered strong resentment among farmers.
2. Power Tariff Hike
The bandh also protests the installation of smart meters across the state and the recent hike in electricity tariffs, which has led to widespread public dissatisfaction.
3. Transport Penalties
Another major reason for the protest is the imposition of heavy fines on vehicles without valid pollution certificates. Additionally, people have alleged that they are unable to obtain pollution certificates without first clearing the fines, a government decision that has reportedly caused widespread anger among the public.
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What Is Likely to Be Affected?
Normal life is expected to be disrupted across many parts of the state:
Bus, auto-rickshaw and taxi services may be affected
Road blockades may be reported at several locations
Markets, shops and commercial establishments may remain closed
Some private schools and colleges may declare holidays for safety reasons
However, no official government holiday has been announced so far.
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Essential Services Exempted
Emergency services such as ambulances, hospitals and milk supply vehicles will remain exempted from the bandh, according to the organisers.
Advisory for Citizens
People with urgent travel plans are advised to step out before 6:00 AM, as transportation services are likely to remain disrupted throughout the day.
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Response from Political Leaders
The bandh has received support from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC). Senior Congress leader Bhakta Das expressed solidarity with the protest and backed the demands raised by the farmers’ organisation.
Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader criticised the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan, describing it as an organisation of “fake farmers” and alleging that its members have no real understanding of farming.
The BJP leader further claimed that those supporting millers are backing the organisation and the bandh, and asserted that they do not represent genuine farmers but vested interests.
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