Transport strike, rains affect life in Odisha

Bhubaneswar : A day-long transport strike and incessant rains paralysed normal life in several parts of Odisha on Tuesday.

Passengers and commuters suffered inconvenience due to the strike called by the All India Road Transport Workers Federation and supported by the All Odisha Transport Workers Federation (AOTWF).

Auto-rickshaws, taxis, private buses, trucks and other carriers remained off the roads.

The All Odisha Taxi and Auto-Rickshaw Association (AOTWF) also extended its support to the strike called to protest the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which seeks an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

"The Centre must accept the genuine demands. If the amendment comes into force, vehicle owners, drivers as well as insurance companies will face serious losses," said AOTWF President Janardan Pati.

Meanwhile, incessant rains due to a low pressure formed over the Bay of Bengal has led to major water logging on roads and railway tracks.

Some trains have been cancelled, a few partially cancelled and others were rescheduled, the East Coast Railway said.