PM’s Promise: Odisha Activist Resumes Protest In Delhi

During his visit on April 1, 2015, the PM had announced the construction of a second bridge over Brahmani River near Panposh and upgrading the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) to a medical college and super specialty hospital.

Biswal, the 30-year-old activist, decided to meet the PM to remind him of his announcement and started walking to Delhi on April 16. He managed to cover about 1,350 km on foot before he fainted on the highway and was admitted to a hospital in Agra on June 27. When he recovered, he wanted to continue his journey till he met the Prime Minister.

Union Tribal Affair Minister Jual Oram and some local BJP leaders criticised Biswal’s for taking this step.

After reaching Delhi, Biswal first met Oram, seeking his help to meet the PM. But Oram said there is no need to meet the PM as the construction work for the second bridge had already started and work for super specialty in the burns and plastic surgery department of IGH had already been initiated.

Cashing in on the situation, Congress president, Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “The PM promised Rourkela a multi- speciality hospital three years ago. Now, Muktikant Biswal has walked 1,300 km to Delhi because the PM hasn’t kept his promise and people are dying. I assure Mr Biswal, the people of India and the Congress party will keep the PM’s promise for him.”

Odisha’s leader of opposition, Narasingha Mishra on Monday criticised PM Modi for not meeting Biswal.

Meanwhile, Biswal was taken into custody by Delhi Police on Sunday for sitting on a hunger strike near Jantar Mantar. “I will continue my hunger strike till the time I meet PM Modi,” he said.

The activist appealed to everyone to come together to resolve the issues.