Published on February 12, 2026
On the 12th of February 2026, Bharat Bandh, or India’s Trade Union Strike, caused major disruptions to the Indian public transport systems, businesses, and day-to-day public activities. Over 600 districts participated in the strike, and the Indian Trade Union Congress claimed the traffic problems created by the participants were intended to ‘jame-karo’, i.e., to create a standstill. Ten central trade unions and farmer unions also organized an event of protest and strike by an intense Bandh.
They claimed it was the largest strike in the last 50 years. An Indian central trade union also put out an All India Bandh call, which they claimed created a standstill in the country. For the Tranzap border new on 12th February 2026, the first national strike was organized. In order to benefit the public, the transit authorities, in coordination with the police, were given the ability to set detours for the public.

Extent and Time of the Strike

Along with the All India Bandh call, the strike also had coverage for a 12-hour period. As stated, the expressed dissatisfaction was focused on the three specified Government policies and the resulting regulations that had recently commenced and were to be updated. These were initiated on the Indian labor and rural economic systems and created a ‘Bhrashtachar’ or corruption of the system within the Indian rural economic system.

Traffic Advisory and Disruption of Services

Due to travel disruptions, the roads and public transport systems in the states of Odisha, Assam, Kerala, and West Bengal are also affected. In some places, the protesters have roadblocks, and protests slow down traffic, resulting in increased travel times and delays causing disruptions. Authorities have stated that travelers should check the reports of state police and the transport department in real-time, especially in the case of planned state protests and picketing along the routes.

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Increased police activity has been reported to manage the flow of vehicles along the major roads, along with the provision of traffic flow updates to the commuting public.

Impact of Protests – Differences by State

The impact of the protests varies across states.

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Odisha: Considerable public transport cessation, major road blockage, and significant reduction of economic activity have been reported in several districts, and in some districts, travel has been declared to be completely non-viable.
Assam: Participation in the protests was sufficient, resulting in a complete cessation of economic activity, closure of public transport systems, and the disruption of traffic flow in the central and peripheral urban spots. As a result, the authorities have restricted travel in this area.
Kerala: Restrictions on movement and protest activities have led state-run and private buses to abandon main routes in some regions. Travel advisories have stated that passengers should prepare for delays and consider alternative routes for necessary travel.
West Bengal and Karnataka: Some disruptions have occurred, especially in surface transport and local services within metropolitan and union-strong regions. While disruptions in Kolkata and other cities were not total, such activity affected transport flow.
In contrast, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and some other states were hardly affected, and daily activities and services were available in most places as usual.

Services, Education, and Public Institutions

The Bharat Bandh affected several sectors beyond transport:

• Public transport: State buses, taxis, and auto rickshaw services have been partially to fully suspended in high-participation zones.
• Markets and shops: In protest-heavy zones, local markets closed or operated for fewer hours.
• Banks and offices: Some banking services and public sector offices operated with fewer staff, but a nationwide bank holiday was not declared.
• Educational institutions: School and college closures were at the discretion of the state and local administrators, and there were region-specific disruptions.
• Essential services: Hospitals, emergency services, airports, and long-distance rail services operated with modifications due to expected traffic disruptions.

As of right now, strikes are still happening, and state travel agencies and law enforcement are encouraging travelers to:
• Review live traffic reports before you leave.
• Plan longer travel times and routes.
• Avoid protest sites and large gatherings unless there is an urgent need to go.
During the bandh period, emergency services and utilities remained active and operational. It is the priority of the authorities to ensure that essential services are provided to the public.

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