Groom, family walk 28 km for marriage all night due to drivers' strike in Odisha

A groom and his family members had to suffer due to drivers' strike in Odisha's Rayagada district. The groom and the family had to walk 28 km all night to reach the bride's village due to ongoing strike. They walked from Sunakhandi panchayat under Kalyansinghpur block to reach Dibalapadu village where the marriage function was to be held on Friday.

A video showing the groom and his family members walking at night has gone viral on the social media.

The marriage happened on Friday morning, but the groom and his family members stayed at the bride's house, waiting for the drivers' association to withdraw the strike so that they can return home.


The drivers' association -- Driver Ekta Mahasangh -- had launched an indefinite strike across the state. The association is demanding social welfare measures like insurance, pension, formation of a welfare board and other benefits for drivers. The strike has now been put on hold for 90 days following an assurance by the state government that all their demands would be fulfilled.

The strike by over two lakh drivers has hit the normal life in the state. The strike has also resulted in price rise of essential commodities.