Anugola/Sundaragada: A dawn-to-dusk shutdown has been called by the Congress in Odisha’s Anugola on Wednesday demanding immediate steps to curb air pollution allegedly caused by the large-scale transportation of coal and fly ash in the district.
During the 12-hour bandh, the district Congress plans to stage picketing and seek the closure of educational institutions, commercial establishments ad government offices.
The party has also called for a complete stoppage of vehicular movement across the district during the bandh slated to begin at 6 am.
According to Anugola District Congress president Sunil Pradhan, the extensive transportation of coal and fly ash has contributed air pollution as well as noise pollution in the district.
Rapid deterioration in environmental conditions have adversely affected the health and quality of life of people in the district, he said.
The bandh has been called to draw the attention of authorities to the pollution problem and pressing for steps to make the district pollution-free.
The district Congress has appealed to various organisations, traders, transporters and residents to extend their support and make the bandh successful.
Meanwhile, A 12-hour bandh was observed in Birmitrapur of Odisha’s Sundaragada district on Tuesday to press for immediate repair of National Highway-143, which has deteriorated along the stretch passing through the town.
The dawn-to-dusk bandh has been called by a joint platform of political parties and the Citizens’ Forum. Protesters have blocked NH-143 at several locations, including Talsera Square, the New Bus Stand, China Town and the Jharkhand border, as part of the agitation.
Shops and business establishments across Birmitrapur remained closed during the bandh. The road blockade has also severely affected vehicular movement. Heavy goods vehicles coming from Raurkela towards Jharkhand and passenger buses heading to neighbouring Jharkhand have been stranded. Similarly, hundreds of vehicles travelling from Jharkhand towards Rourkela have reportedly been stopped near Basajore on the border.
Passenger bus services between Birmitrapur, Raurkela and nearby areas have also been disrupted, causing considerable inconvenience to commuters.
The protesters demand repair of the approximately three-kilometre stretch of NH-143 between Talsera Square and the Jharkhand border. According to locals, the road has turned into a major hazard due to prolonged lack of maintenance and repairs.
Large potholes have reportedly made daily travel difficult, particularly for school and college students and two-wheeler riders. The situation becomes more dangerous during rainfall as water accumulates in the potholes, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
Residents claim that they had repeatedly brought the condition of the road to the notice of the National Highways authorities and the local administration, but no effective action was taken.
