By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 16, 2016 : Normal life was disrupted in many parts of Odisha as the Congress party on Tuesday observed statewide dawn-to-dusk shutdown over Mahanadi water dispute.

The Congress protested the damming of Mahanadi river upstream in Chhattisgarh and said the Centre must intervene to stop the construction works immediately.

The party alleged Odisha government to have struck a tacit deal with industries to allow the construction, said the Congress.

The protesters blocked railway tracks, leaving passengers stranded for hours at many places.

The impact of bandh was severe on travellers as several trains were detained. Howrah-Chennai Coromondal Express, Howrah-Puri Express, Haridwar-Puri Utkal Express, Howrah-Puri Express were held up at Bhubaneswar station, Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prasanti Express at Khurda Road, Howrah-Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express at Cuttack, Howrah-Chennai Mail at Nirgundi, Yeshwantpur-Muzaffarpur Express at Kapilas Road.

The Congress supporters also blocked roads by burning tyres and picketing, obstructing traffic in many places.

Shops, business establishments, markets, educational institutions were closed in most parts of Odisha. The Congress workers also picketed the state secretariat and other government offices, said police.

Several ministers were seen entering the state secretariat through the back gate, riding pillion on motor-cycles.

Pradesh Congress Committee President Prasad Harichandan claimed that people spontaneously extended their support to the shutdown call in order to safeguard the interests of the state.

“The shutdown call has been given to create awareness among the people of Odisha. Both Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments are responsible for the Mahanadi river water dispute. The central government has remained a mute spectator,” he said.

The Centre should instruct the Chhattisgarh government to stop construction of the dam on the Mahanadi river till the issue is resolved, he said.