Over the past few years, thousands of trees were cut in western region of the State, including different blocks of Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts, in the name of industrialisation and mining.
The wood mafias are also getting a sizable amount by shifting the wood trunks by train for sale in Jharsuguda and Raigarh in Chhattisgarh.
According to sources, mafias are transporting wood in small bundles by passenger trains coming towards Jharsuguda from Chhattisgarh, Raigarh.
Before reaching Jharsuguda station, mafias drop those wood bundles down from the running train to escape further checks. These wood bundles have greater marketability in Jharsuguda industrial town.
Generally by night trains, these wood bundles are transported. Besides fire woods, big trunks of wood are also transported by train.
Surprisingly, the RPF and GRP staff on duty maintain silence. locals have demanded exemplary action against the wood mafias. When contacted, RPF officials refused to comment.