Belpahar Bandh Over Rly Works Stalls Life

Jharsuguda: Pressing for six-point charter of demands, the Nagarika Manch is observing a bandh in Belpahar of Jharsuguda district on Friday.

Normal life was thrown out of gear as the schools, markets and business establishments remained closed in Belpahar.

A meeting was held on the demands of Nagarika Manch in the presence of the district administration and the Railway Department Officers on Wednesday. Though they have promised to fulfil their demands, but in vain.

The Manch members have alleged that though the Railway Department is getting crores of rupees for the railway station development, but they are not taking any action. They have not been giving any facility to the passengers.

“Our demands include, the stoppage of South Bihar train at Belpahar station, extension of Rayagad-Bilaspur passenger train, extension of Durg-Gondia Jan Satbadi train, upgradation of Belpahar station,  renovation and development of the station, construction of under bridge and overbridge at Belpahar station,” said Prachanda Jay Biswal, Belpahar Nagarika Committee vice-president.

“We had a meeting to discuss the demands of the Nagarika Manch. Railway-Bilaspur Division officers were also present in the meeting. We have discussed all the demands in detail, the railway department was not able to find out any conclusion,” said Bibhuti Bhushan Patnaik, Jharsuguda Collector.

The railway authorities said the demands have been sent to the railway board and steps will be taken to fulfil the demands, said Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) of Railway division Rashmi Gautam.