Anandapur: A local outfit, ‘Maa Dhanei Seva Sangh’, staged an economic blockade on NH-20 Tuesday protesting against the Centre’s negligence in accepting their long pending demand for a railway line to Anandapur.
The protestors blocked ore-laden trucks on NH-20, but buses and other vehicles operated as usual.
The ‘Anandapur Sachetan Nagarika Manch’, ‘Maa Dhanei Seva Sangh’ and other local organisations had staged protests in the past over the same issue, but nothing was done by the authorities.
The organisations had submitted memorandums to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, the Railway Ministry and the Keonjhar Collector too. The railway ministry was reminded of the demand five times in the past.
“As nothing has been done till date, we were compelled to launch an economic blockade September 3 to draw the PM’s attention to the issue,” said Bishnunaryan Barik, the Sangh’s president.
The activists pointed out that Anandapur is an important strategic location in mineral-rich Keonjhar.
Rail connectivity will speed up development of the area as thousands of ore-carrying trucks ply through Anandapur daily, they said.
It is unfortunate that even 70 years after independence the district subdivision does not have rail connectivity, they added.
PNN
