The 48-hour countrywide strike called by ten Central trade unions entered the second and last day on Wednesday affecting normal life in several parts of the State.
However, in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack the shutdown evoked a mixed response.
For the second consecutive day public transport including private buses were off the roads bringing misery for the commuters.
Vehicular communication was affected in Baleswar, Rourkela and Bonai of Sundargarh district. In Rourkela, protesters staged picketing near the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and Bisra Chhak.
Road blockades were held on National Highway-143 and 520 in Keonjhar district. The Baramunda and Badambadi bus stands wore a deserted look as buses stayed off roads in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Train services were also affected as members of trade unions staged rail roko in Baleswar, Bhubaneswar and Brahampur.
While Garib Rath was halted at Bhubaneswar railway station, Puri-Howrah passenger was stopped by agitators in Baleswar. Palasa-Bhubaneswar passenger was also stopped by protesters at Brahmapur railway station. Six railway siding units were shut down in Bonai.
However, the bandh evoked mixed response in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Though petrol pumps and educational institutions and banks remained closed, private vehicles were seen on the road. Some shop and businessmen also remained
Educational institutions remained closed in several parts of the State. Earlier, on Tuesday, the State Government had issued circular instructing Collectors to take a decision on closure of schools and colleges based on the situation in their respective districts.
Visitors have been forced to stay put at hotels as they are unable to move out due to lack of road communication. This apart, closure of businesses establishments has brought discomfort for the travellers.
Though police were deployed in adequate numbers there are no reports of any untoward incident from any part of the State.