"Commercial and economic activities in major parts of the country have come to a halt," industry body Assocham said, adding manufacturing activities have also been affected in several states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
"Attendance in commercial organisations is very thin," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.
A spokesperson of an export promotion council said that the strike affected normal business activities and also impeded movement of export cargo.
"Truck services are virtually suspended and movements of goods through roads is almost negligible as political activists are on roads to make Bharat bandh call a complete success," sources said.