Joda: Amid a growing demand for shifting of Bansapani railway station in Joda town of Keonjhar, a delegation from the railways visited the area Thursday.
Bansapani is considered an important railway station under South Eastern railway in terms of freight services. Lakhs of tonnes of minerals are transported from this station to various parts of the country. Even passengers trains operate to various parts of the state.
For the last several years, local people and several outfits have been pressing to shift the station to Babu Hutting in Joda town.
Last year, some intellectuals and reporters had gone to Dehli and took up the issue with Keonhar MP Sakuntala Laguri. They also took up the issue with the higher authorities of the ministry of railway.
Earleir, Champua MLA Jitu Patnaik had met officials at SER at Kolkata.
A delegation of the railways led by top officials like SK Singh, GK Sahu took stock of the area from Bansapani to Babu Huting Thursday.
Niranjan Bohidar, president of the Joda Biskash Parishad and former MLA Jitu Patnaik told the delegation that Bansapani was away from Joda, but mineral transportation in trucks caused dust pollution and traffic jam from Bansapani to Joda. Train passengers have to face difficulties to go to Bansapani amid air pollution and traffic jam.
“If the railway station is shifted to Joda town, passengers will feel it easy,” they added.
Head of the delegation SK Singh said that technical aspect of the proposal is being checked and a report will be submitted to the higher authorities soon.
PNN