There will be a mass congregation in front of the office of the RDC (ND) here on August 8 to protest the demolition of the Fatak Station, Sambalpur, by the Railways where political parties cutting across party lines, students and the general public will take part.
“If the Railways does not desist from its illegal activities, there will be Sambalpur Bandh, an indefinite rail-roko and large scale protests and for any untoward situation, the Railways will be held responsible,” said Sapan Mishra of Sachetan Nagarika Committee (SNC), a forum fighting for the station’s revival and improvement.
The Railways is determined to close the station forever in the name of development. But it is a 107 years old and is important in many respects due to its central location in the city near the GM University and Budharaja area, opined the locals.
The memory of Mahatma Gandhi is also attached to the station. “Once it is closed, the people have to bear extra expenditure from city or Sambalpur station to come to the town,” they said.
In the year 2007, a similar effort was made by the then Government at the Centre. But due to virulent protest, and strong attitude of the district administration, this could not be done. But the BJP Government at the Centre has made a fresh effort to close it now, they told.