By TOI, India
Demanding extension of the Jammu-Tawi-Rourkela Express to Sambalpur, activists under the banner of Sambalpur Nagarik Kalyan Samiti staged a demonstration in front of divisional railway manager (DRM) office on 21st Feb 2013. They closed down the office over their demand.
The protesters argued that majority of people of western Odisha travel to Allahabad for holy dip at 'Sangam' (the confluence of three holy rivers) and to immerse ashes of their loved ones. They face difficulties as there are no direct trains for Allahabad. "The railway authorities have paid no heeds to this long-standing demand of ours," convenor of the association Mahendra Kumar Mishra said. The Jammu-Tawi-Rourkela Express which runs daily via Allahabad can easily be extended till Sambalpur, he added. Govind Agrawal, a BJP leader, said the railways has made no sincere effort to address this issue.
DRM A K Gupta said he was aware of the demand and has recommended the same to his high ups. "The proposal is under consideration and hopefully will materialize soon," he said.
Demanding extension of the Jammu-Tawi-Rourkela Express to Sambalpur, activists under the banner of Sambalpur Nagarik Kalyan Samiti staged a demonstration in front of divisional railway manager (DRM) office on 21st Feb 2013. They closed down the office over their demand.
The protesters argued that majority of people of western Odisha travel to Allahabad for holy dip at 'Sangam' (the confluence of three holy rivers) and to immerse ashes of their loved ones. They face difficulties as there are no direct trains for Allahabad. "The railway authorities have paid no heeds to this long-standing demand of ours," convenor of the association Mahendra Kumar Mishra said. The Jammu-Tawi-Rourkela Express which runs daily via Allahabad can easily be extended till Sambalpur, he added. Govind Agrawal, a BJP leader, said the railways has made no sincere effort to address this issue.
DRM A K Gupta said he was aware of the demand and has recommended the same to his high ups. "The proposal is under consideration and hopefully will materialize soon," he said.
