India, July 9 -- Public transportation was severely affected across several Indian states on Wednesday as the 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions intensified. The protest is aimed at opposing labour reforms and economic policies introduced by the central government, which the unions allege undermine workers' rights.

The strike targeted disruptions in public transport, government offices, public sector undertakings, banking and insurance, postal services, coal mining, and industrial production.

Bihar witnessed disruptions as members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal's students' wing blocked railway tracks at Jehanabad railway station. In West Bengal, agitators obstructed rail services at multiple stations,...