BJP stalls Koraput roads for third day

For the consecutive third day, iron ore transport from mineral rich Konjhar district to various destinations including Paradip port and steel plants located within Orissa and outside has come to a grinding halt due to an economic blockade, called by the Keonjhar district unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to sources, BJP workers and functionaries, mostly from Barbil, Bolani, Bileipada, Koida and Joda areas under Champua sub-division where most of the iron ore mines are located have enforced the blockade stopping goods trains carrying iron ore at different points.

The call for economic blockade was given to press the demand for early completion of the construction of National Highway (NH) 215 and introduction of passenger trains on Daitari (Jakhapura) - Banspani Railway track.

Sources said, the agitators have stopped one iron ore laden train at Bolani railway siding. Similarly, another train was stopped at Barbil railway siding, which comes under the South- Eastern Railways and a third train at Deojhar Gurh railway Station, falling under the East coast Railway division.

No iron ore cargo moved out from the entire district.

The train stranded at Bolani railway siding was on its way for loading iron ore for the Durgapur Steel Plant.

Even as district BJP leaders along with their local party functionaries led the agitation in all railway sidings, a large number of their suppporters picketed at Banspani, Jaroli, Barbil, Bolani and Keonjhar railway siding.

Sources said, following the stir ECoR authorities are not placing any indented rake at Parjanpur, Gualdihi and Nayagarh railway stations even for sponge iron plants.

With rail dispatch coming to a halt on Joda- Keonjhar-Barbil route, movement of rakes indented by MMTC for Neelachal Ispat Nigam (NINL) and Paradip Port has been hit badly.

Meanwhile, the BJP sources claimed that common people were participating in the picketing at Taurian, BIL, Rashmi Ispat, JSPL railway siding of SER.

Local MP, Anata Naik picketed at Murusuan and Kendujhar Railway siding of East Coast Railway.

Only unloaded lorries returning from Paradip Port end plied on National Highway number-215.

Traffic also came to a standstill on the inter-state road connecting Champua to Ranchi via Jamshedpur creating problems in the Jharkhand.

However, the vehicular traffic on National Highway number 6 which connects Mumbai to Kolkata was normal.

Keonjhar BJP unit president, Murali Manohar Sharma said, "As many as 22 rakes both loaded and empty are stranded at different railway siding in the district. Goods trains are halted at the stations since Sunday. Loading and transporting business in all mines across the district have suffered as labourers and their unions have pledging their support to the economic blockade for the greater interest of the district. Over 4000 iron ore laden trucks and lorries are stranded at different places on both NH-215 and NH-6 for the last three days. Keonjhar Citizens Forum, Progressive Citizens Forum, Youth organizations, Students unions and common people are supporting the agitation spontaneously. As the support to the agitation is increasingly day by day it will continue unless our demands are met."

Besides, loading and unloading in different railways tracks in Joda, Barbil, Deojhar, Bansapani, Jurudi, OMDC, Bolani and others mining sectors have been hampered as the local labour unions have extended their support to the strike.

Loaded iron trucks on their way to Paradip port are not allowed to pass on the National Highway no-215 and iron ore laden vehicles coming on the National Highway no-6, connecting Mumbai to Kolkota as an alternative route are also being stopped.

Contacted, Keonjhar Superintendent of Police Ghanshyam Upadhaya said, "staging of economic blockade on National Highway is causing law and order problem. However, passenger buses, light vehicles and two wheelers are plying on the NH without any obstruction. No untoward incident is reported since Sunday."