Baleswar villagers warn stir for SER 'apathy'

Irate over the ‘apathetic attitude’ of the South East Railway (SER) authorities towards the laxmannath Road railway station, local people depending on the station have threatened to embark on a rail picketing on July 30.

At a meeting held on Tuesday, the villagers said large numbers of people depending on the bordering station between Odisha and West Bengal have been facing a lot of inconveniences as a few trains have their stoppages at the station.

While only five passenger trains stop at the station, the villagers demanded stoppage of more trains, specially, the Sri Jagannath Express and Digha- Puri Weekly Express.

Besides, there is no drinking water facilities, no connection between platforms- 3 and 4 and inadequate shade over the platforms, said villager Bijay Jena. The irate locals further demanded increase in the height and length of the platforms and good quality roads connecting the level-crossing.

“We would stage agitation if the demands are not considered within next two weeks,” Jena added.