Due to the strike of the drivers in Odisha, a groom had to walk about 28 kilometers to the bride’s village for marriage with his family in Rayagada district. The groom’s party could not arrange the vehicle due to the strike.
The groom and his family members left from Sunakhandi panchayat of Kalyansinghpur block on Thursday and walked all night to reach Dibalapadu where the marriage took place on Friday.
The video of other family members including the groom and some women walking at night has been circulated on social media. A member of the groom’s family said, “No mode of transport could be made available due to the strike by the drivers. We reached the village by walking the whole night. We had no option.
The bride and groom tied the knot on Friday morning but the groom’s family has stayed at the bride’s house and is waiting for the strike to end to return.
Significantly, the Ekta Federation of Drivers went on an indefinite strike on Wednesday for various demands including setting up of Insurance, Pension and Welfare Board.
Meanwhile, commercial vehicle drivers on Friday suspended their strike for 90 days after the state government assured them of considering their demands.
Hours after state Chief Secretary PK Jena and Director General of Police SK Bansak appealed to call off the strike, the drivers’ unity federation announced they would return to work.