Odisha groom walks 28 km to reach marriage venue amid drivers' strike 

While the ongoing strike of the Drivers' Mahasangh has thrown normal life out of gear across Odisha, a groom in the southern Rayagada district had to bear the brunt of the agitation on his D day. 

The incident has been reported from Sunakhandi panchayat under Kalyansinghpur block.

According to sources, the marriage of the man was fixed with a girl from Dibalapadu village. However, no transportation facility was available in the village due to the strike of the drivers.   

Left with no option, the groom took out the marriage procession with the baraatis from Parthiguda village on Thursday night. The groom and the baraatis walked all the way to reach the bride’s house covering a distance of about 28 kilometres. 

Though the marriage has been solemnised, the groom and members of the marriage party procession are still stranded at the groom’s house and waiting for the association to withdraw their strike so that they can return to their home.

Notably, thousands of truck and taxi drivers under the banner of Driver Ekata Manch were on an indefinite 'quit steering' strike across the state since Wednesday.

The agitating drivers have been demanding pension after 60 years of age, death benefits, life insurance, social security, parking and toilet facility.

The Chief Secretary of Odisha, Pradeep Jena on Thursday assured the drivers’ association to resolve their issues within three months.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association has decided not to go ahead with its planned strike following a discussion with the State government.

(Reported by Maudi Barik, OTV)