The CPI(M) unit of Sundargarh district, in a memorandum to the District Collector, has threatened to stage agitation from October 31 if repairing work of the 10 km road from Gopana to Renglabeda on NH-215 does not resume by October 30.
It has also threatened to resist iron ore transportation, both by rail and road, block the NH-215 and lock up of the Government offices here. Sources said, while district Collector BS Punia was holding a public hearing at lahunipara on Monday, the CPI (M) workers along with District Committee Secretary Banamali Dhupal, former Bonai MlA laxman Munda and others handed over the memorandum expressing their concern over the delay in the road repairing work. The Collector has assured them to take up the issue on urgent basis.
The memorandum states that the NH-215 connecting Rourkela-Koira-Barbil has become a nightmare for the commuters, and there is no road at all from Dengula to Tinko Ghati. “With pressure from mines owners, Koira DDM has been allowing transportation of iron ores to other States causing further deterioration of road condition. Besides, many parts of Koira and lahunipara blocks are detached from rest of the world causing hurdles in mobility. This has also been hampering the supply of mid-day meal and BPl materials to these areas for months. Moreover, around 20,000 labourers have been affected due to this,” alleged Banamali Dhupal.
Being pressurised by trade unions and local people, the mines owners had contributed Rs 14 crore for construction of the road from Narayanposhi to Renglabeda. But suddenly it was disrupted. The CPM had urged the Collector to restart the repairing work immediately and initiate action against the officers responsible for halting of the work. Although the Collector, DDM and Koira BDO had assured the party workers during an agitation on August 26 for early resumption of the road repair work, it is yet to materialise.