The core committee members of Talcher-Bimlagarh Rail link Action Committee (TBRlAC), a forum formed recently, mainly by the cadres of much famed historic Talcher-Bimlagarh rail line agitation of 1969, on Sunday expressed their displeasure over inordinate delay in executing the project and have announced to launch an agitation for putting pressure for early completion of the project.
While addressing the mediapersons on Sunday, the core committee members of TBRlAC claimed that the proposed Talcher-Bimlagarh rail link project is not just important for the people of Sundargarh district and other areas but also important for the State view point as well. “Since Talcher-Bimlagarh rail line is stated to be the shortest link between mineral rich belts of Sundargarh with Paradip Port, after the completion of this project, there will be economic development of the State,” said convener of the TBRlAC AP Biswal.
“The rail link will also become the shortest distance rail route between Bhubaneswar and Rourkela,” Biswal added.
“Giving the historical background of the agitation that had taken place way back in the year 1969, under the banner of Student Action Committee, Biswal informed that during 2003-04 the Union Government had formally sanctioned the project. Initially the project was targeted to be completed by 2018, but due to delay in execution of the project the target date of completion has been revised to 2022,
However, the same also at present appears a far cry, since the hardly 10-15 per cent work progress has taken place so far,” Biswal said.
“We have decided to launch another agitation considering the importance of this project and also long standing expectation of the people of the region,” Biswal informed.
Senior CPM leader Bistnu Charan Mohanty, who was also an active student leader during the 1969 agitation and now a core committee member of the TBRlAC informed about the action plan of the actioncommittee. “Since the 1969 agitation had gained momentum on 20th August, we have started preparation to organise a mass convention at Bhanja Bhawan auditorium in Rourkela on August 20, symbolising the completion of 49 years, involving cross sections of the society,” Mohanty said.
“We are inviting elected representatives from Sundargarh, Debgarh, Talcher and Angul area to participate in the convention,” Mohanty said.
He further told, “A preparatory meeting would be organised on August 5 at Bastia Bhavan, involving different sections of the society. The core committee members of the TBRlAC would also organise a press meet at Bhubaneswar on August 8, for highlighting the demands of action committee and importance of the project.”
Other members of the committee like Harihara Routray, Sudhir Sundaray, Mihir Ray, Amulya Charan Boral, Ramesh Chandra Bal, Subrat Pattnaik, Bimal Bisi were present.